Can Ifile divorce by publication if I don’t know what state that my husband is in?

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Can Ifile divorce by publication if I don’t know what state that my husband is in?

We have been separated for over a year with no contact he just up and left in the middle of the night one night and I haven’t heard from him since. I just want to get the divorce over with so I can move forward with my life. I live n MO; was married in OK.

Asked on July 14, 2011 under Family Law, Missouri

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

The concept of divorce by publication is made for the very circumstance that you have here - a spouse's whereabouts are unknown. In any legal proceeding the concept of "notice" is critical. Legal action should not be taken against someone without giving them the right to appear and explain their side of things (in this case to answer the divorce complaint). Therefore, even if a spouse can't be located they still must be notified of the divorce action before it can proceed. This is what is accomplished in a "divorce by publication".

In brief this is the way it typically works. You as the filing spouse (i.e. Petitioner) must make a diligent effort to find your missing spouse (i.e. Respondent).  You will have to present proof to a court that you made a true effort to locate him. To prove your best efforts you will have to show the court that you checked with family/friends, voting records, the phone book, DMV, and any other source that would likely lead to uncovering his current whereabouts.  Once you have demonstrated to the the court's satisfaction that you have made a thorough search, you will be allowed to serve your spouse by publishing notice in a newspaper (as opposed to the more usual method of personal service).  The court will instruct as to which paper should be used (typically one in the area of your spouse's last known address).  

Generally, in most states, the Respondent has 30-60 days to file a reply after the first day of publication. If they fail to respond within that time, the Petitioner files a request to enter a default dissolution of marriage. And it generally grants it upon the terms requested by the Petitioner (although the Respondent is given a certain time limit in which they can appeal).


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

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