Hi everyone. Changed my name.
Will try to keep concise.
I married my ex-husband legally abroad in our home country Morocco. We were both born in the UK but had our wedding "back home" with all the family. We have dual nationality automatically.
The contract is through the courts and also islamic to. Meaning the marriage is valid abroad and it is recognized.
So we didn't have to do civil marriage in the UK.
We divorced in Morocco in 2014 in the courts. Documents translated. P.s polygyny is illegal in Morocco. So in order for me or my Ex to remarry we need to be divorced in Morocco.
He remarried in 2015 to Someone from Morocco and bought her over here so the home office knows and the marriage is recognized.
I met my now Husband (religiously married) and wanted to do UK civil marriage at the same time my OH is not Moroccan.
Anyway we applied and had a tentative date pending checks as we are both divorced. His came back quickly mine took forever. 5months passed and finally got a reaponse from our GRO caseworker who said that my divorce is not recognised in this country and I need to seek a lawyer. All becuase me and my Ex spike about divorce in the UK and he said I divorce you. How doea that make sense. Becuase the intention was made in the UK and not Morocco. My mind is blown and I am flabbergasted.
I was seathing with rage and responded right away to contact the Moroccan embassy and check their own files my ex-husband remarried and his marriage is recognised in this country. He had to prove this when applying for a spousal visa.
I am fruatrated as they are ignoring my emails now and so I have to go to a lawyer and pay for what?
I have all the correct documents.
I told them if I am not divorced then my "ex" is breaking the law in the UK and Morocco. But no one responded.
We went to Morocco to the courts recently and they confirmed my documents are valid and they are signed by the Judge etc.
No one else had this issue that we know of.
Not sure what to do. Pay for a lawyer to read my papers and say yes you're divorced!
I wanted a quick divorce so never asked for more then basic maintenance £6k that's it and 1/3 of that went to the lawyer. Although my ex has assets and property worth over £200k.
I am feeling myself getting petty and wanting to report him as he has money and property undeclared in Morocco. He sends Money with people who travel by car and so no trace of it. Me having to pay for a lawyer I wish I had asked for more and got my fair share as any legal aid I seek now will take away what I obtained originally.
The whole thing had me so stressed and feeling overwhelmed that I was very unwell. I just want to marry my husband.