I have a friend who married a girl from in Hawaii because she got pregnant. They stayed in Hawaii for a while until he decieded he was ready to return to let his parents meet their granddaughter. Long story short, one of his parents told him that he could not come back to their home state with the baby unless he married the baby's mother. It was what you would call a shotgun wedding. So out of direst he married this girl. For six years he tried to keep the marriage together, even had two more kids. Finally some things transpired and they separated. She went back to Hawaii (her home state) and he went to Texas. He now has two of the 3 kids with him and they are doing very well with him. They are in school and he's doing very well for himself, financially, spiritually and mentally. He, they, are truly in a better place without the mother/astranged wife. Now he has moved on in his life. They have been separated from each other for almost a year. Can he file for a divorce or dissolution of marriage in the Texas courts even though they were married in Hawaii?
I need a very serious answer because He is desperately trying to get this dissolution done quickly. Any help or information given is appreciated.
thanks for your help.

George_1950

That they were married in Hawaii doesn't matter. He can file in Texas if he is a resident of Texas. Or, he can file (sue) where she resides. It is my impression that if he is a resident of Texas, he can end the marriage, get a divorce. He may get a judgement on the other issues (child custody, division of property, child support, alimony, payment of debts) but they are not enforceable if the court has no jurisdiction over the defendant. Some states are passing uniform laws in certain areas like domestic relations so that there will be less duplication and forum shopping; he will need competent legal advice from someone knowledgable about Texas law. You know that old saying, 'Haste makes waste'. Take proper precautions when dealing with legal issues.