I am a kiwi living in the UK. I wish to divorce my husband who returned to NZ two years ago. Can I go through the process here and what do I do if he refuses to sign the papers.
HiWelcome to JustAnswer. You can apply from the UK and it would be cheaper to apply in the NZ Family Court as you will not need to come back, as the divorce is dine on the papers. You should ask your family lawyer to prepare the papers and you can sign them in the UK and the lawyer will aranage to file and serve your husband. He does not need to do anything and the order will come through within about 8 weeks after service of the papers. I suggest applying here as UK lawyers are much more expensive than NZ lawyers
Hi
You can get the documents from the family court website at http://www.justice.govt.nz/courts/family-court/forms/list-of-forms/forms-for-proceedings-under-family-proceedings-act-1980-and-care-of-children-act-2004. I suggest you have a look at these. You will need to get a copy of the marriage certificate as well. Lawyers dont charge a lot for this-$400 to $1000 depending on the lawyer and there is a filing fee with the court which is $211.50. You will also need a fee for a process sever to give the husband his copes-usually about $100 to $150
Thank you that is very helpful. There are so many forms - is the one I need called Joint Application for Order Dissolving a Marriage ??
No-that would be the easiest way, but requires your husband to cooperate. If you think he would sign this, it would be very easy. Otherwise you need FP11
FP11 it has to be, as he would never sign the other one. You have been most helpful. I wish I took more notice when working in a law office in Hastings NZ - but the partner I worked for did conveyancing.
If that partner is on good terms he/she may have someone who could help-but with your background you may not need any