State jurisdiction

[arctic]

If my wife is living in Florida and I live in Alaska and she files for divorce in Florida am I bound by Florida’s laws even though I am not living there, also if I got a quick divorce in Las Vagas before her divorce filed in Florida went through in Florida which states laws would I have to abide by for paying alimony? Thank you for your time in answering my questions................john

P.S. I was originally married in Florida but I haven’t lived there for more than 2 years in the past 15 years.

[Attorney Howard Iken]

The divorce can definitely be granted in Florida. But Florida only has jurisdiction for alimony issues if you have some sort of connection with the state. That could take the form of living here or working here sometime in the last ten years.

You do have the right to fight jurisdiction.

Getting a quickie divorce in another state is an interesting strategy. But my gut tells me it will only slow things down. You would still need to fight Florida jurisdiction. An you may need to disclose to the Nevada court there is an existing case in Florida.