Hi Guys. Sorry if this i already posted somewhere here already, but I can’t find anything about divorce between two Americans not an American and Japanese.
Anyway, after 11 years together and following my husband’s impulsive decision to move to Japan without talking to me about it first, he revealed to me that he can’t stop cheating and “doesn’t want to hurt me anymore” so we’re splitting up. He seems to be in hurry to file for a divorce (please don’t reply with speculations as to why, that’s hurtful and not helpful at all), but I’m not sure what that process involves.
This would be an uncontested divorce as we both agree it won’t work if he can’t stop cheating and he thinks he’s happier without me, and I see online we can file easily, but we would need to do so in person— the problem is, we’re here in Japan. We don’t want to get lawyers involved. The cheating aside, we still love each other and don’t want to make this more difficult or expensive, so no lawyers. We want this to be quick, cheap and easy.
Anyone else out there who is an American who divorced their American spouse here in Japan?
10 comments
Have you tried calling the embassy? There might be someone there that could assist with the process.
I think [this site ](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/divorce-abroad/divorce-abroad-legal.html) from the US gov has the information you need. It looks like you just need to divorce in Japan and it’ll be recognized in the states.
Going to Guam for a week will be the easiest.
Generally it’s recommended to avoid the “divorce by mutual consent” kyougi rikon (the one you do at city hall) if you’re American:
https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/divorce/
> Be warned, however, that the United States has no procedure for extra-judicial divorce and the legality of this procedure in various states in the U.S. is uncertain.
Were you married in Japan or USA? In Japan just get a judge to sign off on the divorce and it will be recognized in America too.
If it’s in the US, you should consult with the embassy.
Just to add an additional hurdle, what visa/s are yourself and him on?
If you’re on a dependent visa for example you’d need to notify immigration within 2 weeks after divorce. You’d then have 6 months to sort your own visa if you wish to remain in Japan.
Should your hypothetical dependent visa expire before the 6 month grace period and you don’t sort another visa then you’d have to leave when that expiration date happens.
Yes. Go to Guam. If you are going back to the US your life will be easier if you have a U.S. decree in English rather than a translation of whatever you get from a Japanese court.
Just wanted to say that I’m sorry you ended up with such a dickhead. Imagine moving your wife somewhere just so you can cheat with the locals.
I hope you end up finding someone who makes you feel happy, and that he ends up making the standard divorce post with a mental spouse threatening to cut off his balls.
OP, please consult a lawyer. You don’t need to tell your STBX that you’re getting independent advice
He is literally cheating you already, and it sounds like there is a history of your investment in the relationship not being respected or r being taken for granted. Why would that change now?
Besides the complications around taxs and visas – women are at higher risk of poverty in old age, especially if they have separated from their partners. You need to act like o protect your future security now
Get advice. This doesn’t mean your separation has to be adversarial to r drawn out – quite the opposite. With an advocate who is on your side to guide you, you are much more likely to be able to make a swift and comfortable exit
Your husband is trash
Count your blessings you can divorce now and not later down the track – every moment is wasted time