Laws regarding marriage and divorce vary from state to state and from country to country. When residents of the United States get married in another country, or when a resident of the United States marries a resident of another country, and the married persons then seek a divorce, the potential application of significantly different laws can make the process more difficult and complex. And this is especially true when the spouses separate and live in different countries before seeking a divorce—sometimes taking or keeping the spouses’ children with them.

There are generally no international divorce laws—only the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (an international treaty on the wrongful removal or retention of children)—but divorces in which more than one country’s laws may apply are informally referred to as international divorces.

There may also be differences in the laws of different countries regarding what constitutes a marriage—resulting in a situation when two persons are married under the laws of one country, but not under the laws of another country.

A person in such an international marriage or domestic partnership who believes the relationship may be coming to an end should consult with a family law specialist at the earliest opportunity.

In Rhode Island, as in other U.S. states, the laws governing marriage and divorce are specific to the jurisdiction. International marriages and divorces present unique challenges due to the lack of uniform international divorce laws. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is one of the few international treaties that address family law issues, specifically the wrongful removal or retention of children across international borders. When it comes to recognizing marriages, discrepancies may arise if a marriage is considered valid in one country but not in another. This can complicate the divorce process, especially if the spouses are living in different countries or if there are children involved. Rhode Island residents facing potential international divorce issues should seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in family law to navigate the complexities of their situation. An attorney can provide guidance on how Rhode Island law may interact with foreign laws and what steps to take to protect one's rights and interests in an international divorce scenario.