Expat Divorces

Expat Divorce Lawyers

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Matrimonial Law Services

Rose & Rose

Divorce for British Expats Abroad

Our team of experienced family law solicitors and divorce lawyers understand the unique challenges that arise in cross-border and expat divorces, financial disputes, and children’s issues.

At Rose & Rose, we handle a wide range of family law matters across various jurisdictions. If your marriage has been dissolved in a foreign country, but you have connections to England and Wales such as a martial home, we can help you initiate Part III proceedings under the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.

We can guide you through the process of making Part III applications, which allow for financial provision after an overseas divorce.

Our team will work diligently to protect your financial interests and secure a favourable resolution. Read our article here for more information: Exploring Part III Applications under the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984

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International Divorce and Separation

Our team advise on various aspects of expat divorces and family law matters, including:

Expat Divorces:

Our team has extensive experience in handling international and cross-border divorces, ensuring your rights and interests are protected throughout the process.
Expat Finances:

We have a wealth of experience handling complex matrimonial finance matters involving international assets, including trusts, company structures, and property, and we understand the intricacies of dividing assets across borders. Our expertise also extends to foreign pensions and investments, providing comprehensive guidance on handling these assets during divorce proceedings.
Part III Proceedings:

If you need to dissolve your marriage in a foreign country, we can help you initiate Part III proceedings under the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984. Our team has the expertise and experience to guide you through the process and ensure that you achieve a fair and just outcome. We will work with you to pursue foreign divorce applications and ensure that your marriage is legally terminated in the foreign jurisdiction.
Part III Applications:

We can guide you through the process of making Part III applications, which allow for financial provision after an overseas divorce. Our team will work diligently to protect your financial interests and secure a favourable resolution.

Expat Divorce Solicitors

Cross-border divorce can be a complex area of the law and requires specialist advice. Our family law team consists of accredited Resolution members who have expertise in this area of law and who can assist you in navigating through the complexities of international divorce, spanning a number of countries, including, but not limited to, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Please get in touch with Zubair Dharamsi (zd@roselegal.co.uk) to arrange an initial consultation to discuss the best way forward for you. We will provide you with further and specific advice tailored to your circumstances.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your specific needs.

Meet the team

Meet the team working for you. Click the photo to view that team members profile or use the button to send them an email.

Financing your legal fees

We understand that the cost of legal proceedings can be a concern, particularly when circumstances change unexpectedly. For eligible clients, funding may be available through Untangled, a specialist provider of family law loans. Their funding can be used towards legal fees, helping you access the legal support you need without having to meet the full cost upfront. Applications are subject to eligibility, status and affordability checks, and approval is not guaranteed. If you would like to find out whether funding could be an option for you, speak to a member of our team.

Ask us about funding options

Ampla Consumer Finance Limited, trading as Untangled, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for Consumer Credit (FRN 792153). Credit is subject to status and affordability checks. Terms and conditions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but there are certain criteria. You will be able to get divorced in England and Wales if you or your spouse is habitually resident here, were last habitually resident here (and one still resides here), or if either of you is domiciled in England and Wales. It is important to seek specialist legal advice as the jurisdiction you get divorced in can affect the process to follow and the financial outcomes of your case.

Habitual residence is where you regularly live and conduct your daily life. For example, where you are settled for work, training, and family life. Domicile is your permanent home or where you regard as your home country, whether or not you are currently living in that country.

Several major changes have taken place, and it is crucial to seek specialist advice regarding divorce cases in the EU. Since 1st January 2021, these changes include: UK divorces are no longer automatically recognised in all EU countries; the “first in time” rule no longer applies; and jurisdiction disputes are now decided based on “closest connection” rather than who filed first. It is also important to realise that only 12 of 27 countries signed the 1970 Hague Convention on Recognition of Divorces. You can check the HCCH website for the most current status table of all contracting parties to the Hague Convention.

Part III proceedings under the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 allow you to apply for financial provision in England and Wales after obtaining a divorce abroad. Part III allows a party to seek financial relief in England after a foreign divorce, but the approach is fundamentally different to a traditional financial remedy proceeding. The English court does not simply “top up” the foreign award to what would have been ordered domestically. Instead, the focus is on whether the foreign provision leaves the applicant in a position of “real need” or significant injustice. Read our article for related information: Part III vs Financial Remedy Proceedings.

Where you get married doesn’t determine where you must get divorced. However, your marriage must be valid in the country where it took place for it to be recognised in England and Wales.

At Rose & Rose, our family law specialists have specific experience with divorces involving Middle Eastern jurisdictions including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and others. How you approach the divorce depends on whether you are seeking divorce in England and Wales, or if you need to address a divorce obtained abroad. Each jurisdiction has unique requirements, and specialist advice is advised.