Q: Jurisdiction for financial matters post-UK divorce.

A: Because the divorce proceedings began in the UK and a Conditional Order has already been issued there, the UK court generally retains jurisdiction over the financial matters tied to that divorce. If you want property division, spousal support, or financial relief connected to the marriage, it may be more straightforward to pursue those claims through the UK process before the divorce is finalized. Once a Final Order is granted without financial matters being resolved, you may lose the chance to have them addressed under UK law.

That being said, your current residence in Pennsylvania with your disabled son also gives U.S. courts jurisdiction over certain issues, especially child-related support. U.S. courts can address child support obligations because your son lives here and receives SSI, even if your husband resides abroad. However, enforcement may be more challenging since he is now in Bulgaria, and you would need to rely on international agreements and cooperation to collect payments.

A practical approach may be to continue pressing for financial orders in the UK while also exploring what U.S. courts can do for child support enforcement. This gives you the benefit of resolving marital finances where the divorce is pending, while also protecting your son’s right to support where you live. Keeping both avenues in mind will help ensure you don’t lose opportunities in either jurisdiction.