Are you a US service member married to a Japanese citizen and considering divorce? If so, a Mutual Agreement Divorce (Kyogi Rikon) might be the simplest and most cost-effective option for you.
Here’s how it works:
- Visit the same city office where you got married.
- Both spouses need to complete and submit a divorce application. However, unlike the Japanese spouse, your physical presence isn’t required. You can simply sign the application beforehand.
Benefits of Using Our Services:
- Over 10 years of experience: I, Dave Higgins, have helped countless US citizens navigate divorce in Okinawa.
- Assistance with Applications: We can complete the US citizen section of the application and provide two required witnesses (me and my wife, both Japanese residents). This eliminates the hassle of finding witnesses yourself.
- Certified Translations: After the divorce is finalized, we can provide a certified translation of the Japanese decree into English, which is crucial for reporting purposes on the US side (stateside or military).
Difficult Divorce Situations and Advice:
- Initiating the Divorce: If you want to initiate the divorce, we can help you complete your section of the application and be your witnesses. In most cases, your spouse can then easily complete their section and submit it to the city office without you being present.
- Alternatives to Mutual Agreement Divorce: While we have experience with all types of divorce, Mediation Divorce (Chotei Rikon) and Court Judgment Divorce (Saiban Rikon) can be expensive and emotionally draining. In many cases, these options lead to worse outcomes for the US citizen spouse compared to simply agreeing to some of your spouse’s demands upfront.
- Why Mediation Often Fails: In our experience, Mediation Divorce often creates an adversarial environment where both parties try to portray the other negatively to gain an advantage. This can lead to unrealistic demands and a more expensive outcome.
Advice for a US Citizen Spouse:
- Focus on Mutual Agreement: While it can be challenging, coming to a mutual agreement with your spouse is the quickest and most cost-effective way to resolve the divorce.
- Consider All Options: We understand situations where your spouse may be exhibiting violent behavior, cheating, or other unacceptable actions. However, these factors are not considered in Mediation Divorce.
- Prioritize Peace of Mind: By swallowing your pride and focusing on a peaceful resolution, you can save money and move on with your life faster.
Additional Resources:
For more information on conflict resolution strategies, please visit our website: www.davehigginsoffice.com