Advantages/Dis..marriage in HKG

Posted by Wanttofindout (289 days ago)

Hi there

Getting married next year and considering HKG as the venue rather than other Asian cities. One of us is expat and the other locally born with an overseas passport.

Wondering if their are disadvantages to getting married in HKG as opposed to somewhere else, legally etc

Is HKG law biased to one person e.g. should something go wrong?

Any info - much appreciated

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by Justin Credible (289 days ago)

"Biased to one person should something go wrong?"

Hmmm....do you mean like whether one person gets awarded custody of the kids or whatever? Or gets reamed on the property settlement?

I dont think so. I know someone who married a rich guy, had a brilliant career before that but gave it up to be a good mom and a trophy wife...husband ended up bonking maids down in Wan Chai and when she decided she didnt want to deal with his shenanigans he ended up claiming to be broke, tried to take her kids, called her insane and it was a tough fight to the finish! She ended up having to borrow money from rich family members so as to fight rich hubby in court (while he shacked up with young floozie and refused his wife visitation of kids)...I think its all sorted now though. Maybe he softened up. She got custody, a mansion someplace in Europe, basically, she got her lumpsome pay off and hubby is probably living with floozie and still bonking WC gals on the side, who knows. *shrug* To each their own, eh?

So do I think HK law is biased? Er, if you can afford a good lawyer, its the one with the good lawyer and the good argument that will win. I dont think the government tries to get involved when it comes to folks fighting it out over the carcass of a once thriving marriage. Its pretty much a fair game and fair fight if you have the money to fight to the death. And lets face it, out here there are a lot of folks with more money than sense. Bring it on!!!

I think if you got married in England it would be totally possible for a wife to ream her husband for 50% of everything....messed up as that is, well, I think thats what we would call "unfair odds". Also possible is Dad losing custody of his kids...whereas in HK the courts favor joint custody, although if you cant agree, they do think kids are better off with Mom...not that they will stop you from fighting for sole custody, hell, its your time and money! Depends on how much you want to fight. Ooooh, hubby can get really reamed in Australia too, or so I have heard...and I think America??? Yep, there too...

So yeah, to answer your question, hmmm, I dont think HK law is biased, but depends on what kind of bias you are looking for, were you looking for one specifically? Divorce here is pretty clean cut, the courts dont try to interfere unless its absolutely the 11th hour of folks simply incapable of agreeing on anything.

Of course I am sure there will be other opinions on the ins and outs of the "if things go horribly wrong" spiel.

I think marriage, to use an Americanism, "fullstop" has its advantages and disadvantages....doesnt matter where you do the deed. I think, at the end of the day, you are only as mean as your lawyer! Hell, I found out far too late that my divorce lawyer was a born again christian who was on some secret squirrel crusade to save marriages from ending up in the divorce court! Pfft, oh well, at least they didnt rob me blind when I politely told them I meant it when I came to them looking to be divorced. Lol.

Anyway, enough talk about divorce, eh? Congratulations on your engagement! :o)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Wanttofindout (289 days ago)

Justin

Very much appreciate the lengthy and informative post

Thank you

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Jalous Uranus (288 days ago)

If you're merely marrying in HK and not residing here after your marriage, I doubt very much if the local laws apply, should something go wrong.

It's really about the place where both of you live, or are habitually resident, which determines the jurisdiction, should something go wrong.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by lammum (285 days ago)

If you are planning to be here for a fair few years and thinking you might have kids here then it is easier if you married here. I was married and divorced here and found the courts extremely good. They are very concerned with the rights of the children and also can call for full disclosure of assets both here and in Uk etc.
I guess it will also depend if either of you is a resident, permanent id card etc. I received custody of the children and father only has visitation in Hk as it was deemed in the best interests of the children to remain here in a stable environment.

Pretty fair on property etc too.

Good luck with your marriage!

(I am based in Hong Kong)