Tacoma, WA asked in Divorce and Immigration Law for Wisconsin

Q: I was divorced by my USA Citizen spouse. I did not participate in the court proceedings. Can I enforce I-864 at all now?

.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Amanda B Cook
Amanda B Cook
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Montgomery, AL

A: A couple of things on this, even though I have no real good advice for you in your current situation, but just because others may read this.

First - divorce proceedings are mandatory. You can't just "choose" not to participate in court proceedings in the United States (or most other jurisdictions for that matter). If you do so, you are in great danger of losing any rights or privileges you may have in relation to those proceedings. So "not participating" in any legal process that you're involved with, good or bad, is a terrible, terrible course of action to take. OF COURSE you didn't get alimony in your divorce if you didn't bother to show up for court!

Second - YOU NEED A LAWYER. I feel like I've written this here a thousand times, but I'll write it a thousand more until people realize that there's a reason we exist and a very good reason we charge fees - because you NEED us and we're WORTH it! Stop going on the internet for advice on these complicated matters. This is not the place to ask about how to get benefits, or what seeking those benefits might entail or what the consequences of your action or inaction might be. ESPECIALLY after you've thrown your rights in the garbage by not showing up to court!

You can ask a small procedural question here, or for some sort of small clarification, or give a hypothetical on the pretense of education only, for simple, rote and common issues. But this (as well as many questions asked on this site) goes WAY beyond the scope of anything that you should ask in an internet forum. I realize we live in the "age of information" but come on, people! There's a reason a law degree costs upwards of $300,000 - and you're not going to figure out how to handle your complicated legal matter from strangers on the internet! Not even ones with law degrees. Get a lawyer, yesterday!!

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.