I Need Your Experience And Expertise

[krobert6]

I will be coming to Thailand from Australia in March/April to marry a lady who has 2 Thai children to a previous unmarried relationship. She is a straight honest girl with no parents , only a half sister, She has mot worked in bars etc, only as cleaner and 7/11

I think I have the marriage stuff ok. Go to bkk, Aus embassy for stat dec etc

She tells me that the kids father has no issue with me adopting the kids, he loves in another region now and has married

I will come for a couple of months this time on a tourist visa.

Any issues/problems/advice would be great

[venturalaw]

I once saw a post years ago in response to a thread started with a similar theme. It went something like "RUN FORREST, RUN!"

Kidding aside, I'd really be cautious. First, meet the father and have someone with you who is Thai (preferably male) that you trust implicitly. Get his impression of the father.

Make certain that you meet her remaining family. Also meet and get to know her friends and their respective GFs, BFs, spouses. And, most importantly, don't hurry into anything. There is no reason to rush. She's not going anywhere. Take at least a year to really get to know her.

That's my advise. I've been burned before and now have a very successful marriage to a beautiful Thai. It's doable, but it takes a little bit of time, and a whole lot of luck.

Edited November 19, 2011 by venturalaw

[krobert6]

I once saw a post years ago in response to a thread started with a similar theme. It went something like "RUN FORREST, RUN!"

Kidding aside, I'd really be cautious. First, meet the father and have someone with you who is Thai (preferably male) that you trust implicitly. Get his impression of the father.

Make certain that you meet her remaining family. Also meet and get to know her friends and their respective GFs, BFs, spouses. And, most importantly, don't hurry into anything. There is no reason to rush. She's not going anywhere. Take at least a year to really get to know her.

That's my advise. I've been burned before and now have a very successful marriage to a beautiful Thai. It's doable, but it takes a little bit of time, and a whole lot of luck.

Thanks for the reply.

There is no father/mother - both are dead.

The only relative is a half sister

[ludditeman]

Don't rush to adopt the kids.

Relationships with a Thai partner are very different to a western persons expectations.

Wait for a year or two to see how you get on as a married couple.

Don't rush to take the lady out of Thailand, don't give her entitlement to live in Australia or lay claim to your Australian assets.

(you haven't mentioned where you expect to live)

Rent a house for a couple of years in Thailand before investing any real money in the relationship.

Your age?

Her age?

Edited November 19, 2011 by ludditeman

[venturalaw]

I once saw a post years ago in response to a thread started with a similar theme. It went something like "RUN FORREST, RUN!"

Kidding aside, I'd really be cautious. First, meet the father and have someone with you who is Thai (preferably male) that you trust implicitly. Get his impression of the father.

Make certain that you meet her remaining family. Also meet and get to know her friends and their respective GFs, BFs, spouses. And, most importantly, don't hurry into anything. There is no reason to rush. She's not going anywhere. Take at least a year to really get to know her.

That's my advise. I've been burned before and now have a very successful marriage to a beautiful Thai. It's doable, but it takes a little bit of time, and a whole lot of luck.

There is no father/mother - both are dead.

The only relative is a half sister

I know. When I said meet the father, I was referring to the father of the children, and regarding meeting her remaining family I was referring to her half-sister (and whoever else there may be - cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.).

[krobert6]

I once saw a post years ago in response to a thread started with a similar theme. It went something like "RUN FORREST, RUN!"

Kidding aside, I'd really be cautious. First, meet the father and have someone with you who is Thai (preferably male) that you trust implicitly. Get his impression of the father.

Make certain that you meet her remaining family. Also meet and get to know her friends and their respective GFs, BFs, spouses. And, most importantly, don't hurry into anything. There is no reason to rush. She's not going anywhere. Take at least a year to really get to know her.

That's my advise. I've been burned before and now have a very successful marriage to a beautiful Thai. It's doable, but it takes a little bit of time, and a whole lot of luck.

There is no father/mother - both are dead.

The only relative is a half sister

I know. When I said meet the father, I was referring to the father of the children, and regarding meeting her remaining family I was referring to her half-sister (and whoever else there may be - cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.).

oops sorry,

The father , I have spoken to on the phone and I will not be meeting him. He is a Meekong whisky drunk now and cab barely support his current family.

[krobert6]

Don't rush to adopt the kids.

Relationships with a Thai partner are very different to a western persons expectations.

Wait for a year or two to see how you get on as a married couple.

Don't rush to take the lady out of Thailand, don't give her entitlement to live in Australia or lay claim to your Australian assets.

(you haven't mentioned where you expect to live)

Rent a house for a couple of years in Thailand before investing any real money in the relationship.

Your age?

Her age?

No intention of bringing her back to Oz. I own my house in Oz, should I have a prenup?

Will live in or near Chiang Saen or Yonok

Will rent initially

53 and 27

Edited November 19, 2011 by krobert6

[ludditeman]

oh dear

Those ages put you in a very high risk, buy me house, buy me car, vets fees for sick buffalo area.

If you buy a car, buy it in your name before the marriage.

If you don't plan to have children why get married? or just do the unofficial village wedding.

Do not get her a VISA to visit Oz.

Edited November 19, 2011 by ludditeman

[krobert6]

oh dear

Those ages put you in a very high risk, buy me house, buy me car, vets fees for sick buffalo area.

If you buy a car, buy it in your name before the marriage.

If you don't plan to have children why get married? or just do the unofficial village wedding.

Do not get her a VISA to visit Oz.

I understand, thanks. I have known several of the type you talk about before and have managed to steer clear.

This lady is not in the same league. I am happy to build a house for us (on land she owns )- If it all went wrong I would also be happy for her to have it.

The marriage was my idea , as she has had a very hard life so far - when we met she had 3 cleaning jobs on the go just to support her 2 young kids.

I want her to have security and as there are no other family commitments i.e parents

Edited November 19, 2011 by krobert6

[meatboy]

everything you have said about her and your intensions seem fine but as its been said tread carefully you dont now what could be lingering in the background,i spent 3yrs. in los before i met my twf and another 2yrs.before i committed to anything.if you live together in los maybe a year or two you will soon find out if there are any skelletons in the cupboard,and be wary of the ex the father of her children good luck.

[F4UCorsair]

I don't have a lot of experience in Thighland, but it seems you are less worried about your financial future than others. I think you should give it some serious thought.

Pity is not good grounds, or even any grounds at all, for buying a house in someone's name, or general largesse. My understanding is that you can legally own the house on leased land/land owned by another, and the land owner can't take the house off you. A Thai lawyer can draw up the agreement. Look at www.thailannahome.com and consider a house of that type on land leased or owned by her, and they take only a couple of days to knock down and move. That's not the only advantage, they are classy looking traditional Thai houses. Renting is cheap, relatively, so rent for a couple of years

If I was in your position, I would be securing a watertight prenup agreement, even though they still aren't law in Australia. A judge of the family law court may take notice of/be swayed by, the content if it came to that.

My little experience in SE Asia reveals to me that local women know well, if only by hearsay, that a sexual relationship for 12 months entitles them to claim half, and even though you live in Thailand, that means your total assets, there and in Australia. Many of them are, or have been, married to farang men, and know the drill/how to extract $$ from the poor bugger.

She's a cleaner, so even if yo are a cleaner in Australia, you will appear wealthy by comparison, and there are many Thai women who will be only to happy to live the good life at your expense. Don't let your generosity make you a sucker.

The rest is also good advice; do not get married, do not buy a car in her name, do not adopt the kids for a few years, do not get her a visa to Australia. If you pay for a visit, just have her visit on the up to 30 day tourist visa.

You seem like a decent bloke, but the odds are stacked against you, twice her age, fine now, but in 10-15 years when she's 37-42 yo will 64-69, and that's when age makes a real difference.

I've seen too many friends, acquaintances, and strangers bleating here, to know that what you're doing is a risky undertaking. You've probably worked hard for what you have, so please give it a lot of thought, and don't be a money pit. Also, take a look at this thread http://www.thaivisa....act-or-fiction/ Check the link toward the last post with real footage. There is sobering content there. You've had the good sense to ask for comments here, so treat the advice you're receiving as though you paid for it, and don't ignore it. A lot of guys here have been through the mill, lost all/a lot, and you can learn a lot form their experiences. Take your time, and good luck.

Edited November 20, 2011 by F4UCorsair

[meatboy]

one thing i did not mention was,you said the father of her children is willing to let you adopt them,at what price? if he is what you say a heavy drinker make sure there is distance between you and he never gets to know where you are living.

[krobert6]

everything you have said about her and your intensions seem fine but as its been said tread carefully you dont now what could be lingering in the background,i spent 3yrs. in los before i met my twf and another 2yrs.before i committed to anything.if you live together in los maybe a year or two you will soon find out if there are any skelletons in the cupboard,and be wary of the ex the father of her children good luck.

I don't have a lot of experience in Thighland, but it seems you are less worried about your financial future than others. I think you should give it some serious thought.

Pity is not good grounds, or even any grounds at all, for buying a house in someone's name, or general largesse. My understanding is that you can legally own the house on leased land/land owned by another, and the land owner can't take the house off you. A Thai lawyer can draw up the agreement. Look at www.thailannahome.com and consider a house of that type on land leased or owned by her, and they take only a couple of days to knock down and move. That's not the only advantage, they are classy looking traditional Thai houses. Renting is cheap, relatively, so rent for a couple of years

If I was in your position, I would be securing a watertight prenup agreement, even though they still aren't law in Australia. A judge of the family law court may take notice of/be swayed by, the content if it came to that.

My little experience in SE Asia reveals to me that local women know well, if only by hearsay, that a sexual relationship for 12 months entitles them to claim half, and even though you live in Thailand, that means your total assets, there and in Australia. Many of them are, or have been, married to farang men, and know the drill/how to extract $$ from the poor bugger.

She's a cleaner, so even if yo are a cleaner in Australia, you will appear wealthy by comparison, and there are many Thai women who will be only to happy to live the good life at your expense. Don't let your generosity make you a sucker.

The rest is also good advice; do not get married, do not buy a car in her name, do not adopt the kids for a few years, do not get her a visa to Australia. If you pay for a visit, just have her visit on the up to 30 day tourist visa.

You seem like a decent bloke, but the odds are stacked against you, twice her age, fine now, but in 10-15 years when she's 37-42 yo will 64-69, and that's when age makes a real difference.

I've seen too many friends, acquaintances, and strangers bleating here, to know that what you're doing is a risky undertaking. You've probably worked hard for what you have, so please give it a lot of thought, and don't be a money pit. Also, take a look at this thread http://www.thaivisa....act-or-fiction/ Check the link toward the last post with real footage. There is sobering content there. You've had the good sense to ask for comments here, so treat the advice you're receiving as though you paid for it, and don't ignore it. A lot of guys here have been through the mill, lost all/a lot, and you can learn a lot form their experiences. Take your time, and good luck.

one thing i did not mention was,you said the father of her children is willing to let you adopt them,at what price? if he is what you say a heavy drinker make sure there is distance between you and he never gets to know where you are living.

Thanks for all the advice an well wishes here guys.

I have read that anything you have before the marriage (Thai) is not considered in any divorce settlement , and I am happy to contribute a house (if I build one ) to her should it not work. IN the meantime she has never asked me for anything at all, or even suggested that I provide, she still works to pay the kids kinder/carer fees etc. I would never consider bringing her back to Australia, not just for the financial implication , but because I want to live there in the future.

Tha father of the kids has no wish for cash - I think he feels lucky he does not have to pay to support them.

I will be going back in 12 weeks ( I will decide on the marriage thing in that time, again this was not her asking me to get married or take care of the kids), in the meantime she will keep on working - 2 jobs instead of 3 now.

Another reason for the marriage is that I may want to do a little work there in the future and the marriage visa seems a good option as well (am I wrong?)

[ludditeman]

I have read that anything you have before the marriage (Thai) is not considered in any divorce settlement , and I am happy to contribute a house (if I build one ) to her should it not work. IN the meantime she has never asked me for anything at all, or even suggested that I provide, she still works to pay the kids kinder/carer fees etc. I would never consider bringing her back to Australia, not just for the financial implication , but because I want to live there in the future.

Tha father of the kids has no wish for cash - I think he feels lucky he does not have to pay to support them.

In Thailand true but if she can get to an Australian court, the rules are entirely different (especially if you have adopted her children).

Marriage in Thailand is only a good idea if you are thinking of creating children with her.

Edited November 20, 2011 by ludditeman

[F4UCorsair]

That's exactly it ludditeman. She doesn't even have to get to Australia to make a claim on krobert6's assets here. She just has to go to a lawyer and he makes contact with an Australian lawyer and before he knows it, he's given away half his assets. Expensive sex for a year!!

Just do everything with your eyes wide open krobert6!!!

[krobert6]

I have read that anything you have before the marriage (Thai) is not considered in any divorce settlement , and I am happy to contribute a house (if I build one ) to her should it not work. IN the meantime she has never asked me for anything at all, or even suggested that I provide, she still works to pay the kids kinder/carer fees etc. I would never consider bringing her back to Australia, not just for the financial implication , but because I want to live there in the future.

Tha father of the kids has no wish for cash - I think he feels lucky he does not have to pay to support them.

In Thailand true but if she can get to an Australian court, the rules are entirely different (especially if you have adopted her children).

Marriage in Thailand is only a good idea if you are thinking of creating children with her.

That's exactly it ludditeman. She doesn't even have to get to Australia to make a claim on krobert6's assets here. She just has to go to a lawyer and he makes contact with an Australian lawyer and before he knows it, he's given away half his assets. Expensive sex for a year!!

Just do everything with your eyes wide open krobert6!!!

mmmm

does a prenuphelp at all?

[F4UCorsair]

" mmmm, does a prenup help at all? "

Possibly, but no guarantees. I have a barrister friend and she says that currently a judge of the family law court may take it into account, but of course, he may not. My view is that it wouldn't do any harm, and if the $hit hits the fan, it may even do some good......possibly, maybe??

My friend, whilst not specializing in family law, has a special interest in it currently because she's going through a divorce.

I would be renting for a couple of years, not bringing her anywhere near Australia, not adopting the kids, not marrying her, not owning property in her name, not doing anything that may give her grounds for a claim in the future, and maybe not a few other things. If you're still in an altruistic mood after you split (and I'm looking at a worst case scenario), you can still give her whatever you choose to give her, but if you make that decision at the beginning, you're stuck with it, made when you were feeling all warm and fuzzy, with the little head doing the thinking, possibly excited about a new life in a new country. If she's not happy with that, you'll know you've made the right decision, and it's time to bail out and move to another part of Thighland.

Edited November 20, 2011 by F4UCorsair

[krobert6]

" mmmm, does a prenup help at all? "

Possibly, but no guarantees. I have a barrister friend and she says that currently a judge of the family law court may take it into account, but of course, he may not. My view is that it wouldn't do any harm, and if the $hit hits the fan, it may even do some good......possibly, maybe??

My friend, whilst not specializing in family law, has a special interest in it currently because she's going through a divorce.

I would be renting for a couple of years, not bringing her anywhere near Australia, not adopting the kids, not marrying her, not owning property in her name, not doing anything that may give her grounds for a claim in the future, and maybe not a few other things. If you're still in an altruistic mood after you split (and I'm looking at a worst case scenario), you can still give her whatever you choose to give her, but if you make that decision at the beginning, you're stuck with it, made when you were feeling all warm and fuzzy, with the little head doing the thinking, possibly excited about a new life in a new country. If she's not happy with that, you'll know you've made the right decision, and it's time to bail out and move to another part of Thighland.

So yo u recon I would be better getting myself a multi entry retirement visa, as I have to get back to oz regularly - at least in the interim?

[ludditeman]

Another thing to avoid, don't give her an 'allowance'

She earns her own money, you enhance her lifestyle at the same time as enhancing yours.

She can live a much better life with you just by, living in a house you rent, driving the car or m/c you own and eating the food you buy, etc.

No gold, no allowance, once you start down that road it can never be stopped.

Edited November 20, 2011 by ludditeman

[bifftastic]

HI krobert6,

you say that you could qualify for a multi-retirement visa? Do you mean the non-imm O-A ?

If you qualify for that then you could qualify for the extension of stay based on retirement, which you can do inside Thailand and would mean that you don't have to leave the country every 90 days but it would not mean that you have to be married.

If you did have a visa that required you to leave every 90 days, seeing as you'll be in Chiang Saen, you can just go to Mae Sai and nip over the border so you wouldn't have to go back to Oz

As for adopting the children, I don't think you need to rush into that, in a legal sense. In fact, I don't think you will be able to rush into it, as far as I'm aware, it can be quite a long drawn out process for the adoption to be legally recognised internationally.

Also something that you might want to take your time over.

My wife has two children as well, and I regard them as my step-children. What the law regards them as is not really something that we think about.

If I were you, I'd just concentrate on your relationship first and not tie your permission to stay in Thailand with the success, or otherwise, of that relationship.

So if you can get the non-o based on retirement, I would go down that route, it's easier to do all the paperwork in the immigration office anyway.

For the sake of the family and how other (Thai) people view your relationship, then a wedding ceremony might be what is expected, again, I would wait until you're both sure about things.

But you don't need to tie yourselves together legally unless you plan to use the marriage certificate for visa reasons, which in your case, it appears that you don't need to do.

If at some point further down the line, you both are sure of your relationship, and you want to legally adopt the children, then you can explore that later, for now, I would find a way of securing your permission to stay in Thailand, get to know this lady properly and enjoy your lives together without joining yourselves together in a legal sense.

Also, others have been right to warn about the potential problems of the ex-husband, what he says now and what he says in the future may well be wildly different if he smells money!

Good luck,

Biff

[F4UCorsair]

I can't give you any advice about visas, but I'm sure others can, and it's on various websites if you look.

I have no personal experience of what ludditeman says, but I know men who do, and he's quite right. It's called the avalanche effect, fora couple of reasons. Once started it can't be stopped, and it gets bigger and bigger the further it goes. Look after yourself first. You've worked for what you have and you don't need to give it to somebody who just drifts into your life, and could just as easily drift out of it with your riches. Think it through. How would you be if you had only half of what you currently have? It may seem OK now, but you'd end up hating her and hating yourself more for being so stupid.

I'll say it again. You can give her whatever you choose down the track, but if you make that decision at the beginning, you're stuck with it. Check the link about the movie My Thai Bride and then go through threads here on TV. You'll find similar stories, and that's only the tip of the iceberg because most guys won't admit their stupidity. If she doesn't like what you propose, then she was seeing you as another money pit,and that you can do without.

Take care man!!

[krobert6]

HI krobert6,

you say that you could qualify for a multi-retirement visa? Do you mean the non-imm O-A ?

If you qualify for that then you could qualify for the extension of stay based on retirement, which you can do inside Thailand and would mean that you don't have to leave the country every 90 days but it would not mean that you have to be married.

If you did have a visa that required you to leave every 90 days, seeing as you'll be in Chiang Saen, you can just go to Mae Sai and nip over the border so you wouldn't have to go back to Oz

As for adopting the children, I don't think you need to rush into that, in a legal sense. In fact, I don't think you will be able to rush into it, as far as I'm aware, it can be quite a long drawn out process for the adoption to be legally recognised internationally.

Also something that you might want to take your time over.

My wife has two children as well, and I regard them as my step-children. What the law regards them as is not really something that we think about.

If I were you, I'd just concentrate on your relationship first and not tie your permission to stay in Thailand with the success, or otherwise, of that relationship.

So if you can get the non-o based on retirement, I would go down that route, it's easier to do all the paperwork in the immigration office anyway.

For the sake of the family and how other (Thai) people view your relationship, then a wedding ceremony might be what is expected, again, I would wait until you're both sure about things.

But you don't need to tie yourselves together legally unless you plan to use the marriage certificate for visa reasons, which in your case, it appears that you don't need to do.

If at some point further down the line, you both are sure of your relationship, and you want to legally adopt the children, then you can explore that later, for now, I would find a way of securing your permission to stay in Thailand, get to know this lady properly and enjoy your lives together without joining yourselves together in a legal sense.

Also, others have been right to warn about the potential problems of the ex-husband, what he says now and what he says in the future may well be wildly different if he smells money!

Good luck,

Biff

The over 50 visa with 800,000 in the bank - if that is the one. In the next few months I will get the tourist visa as I am told I can apply for the retirement multi entry when I am there.

I take on board everything I have been told about the adoption thing. Maybe just a change of there surname to keep her happy in the meantime. Though she never asked.

Maybe a small Thai wedding as well??

Thanks Biff

[bifftastic]

Thai wedding is a good idea, although 'small' might not cover it!

As for the visa, you can convert your Tourist visa to a non-imm in Thailand (for a small charge, of course!) and then apply for an extension based on retirement, for which you will need to show either 800K in a Thai bank account, or an income of 65K a month. Then you don't need to leave the country, it's not a multi-entry visa, it's an extension of stay, you report to immigration every 90 days as opposed to crossing a border and coming back again

You can get a non-imm type O based on the fact that you will be retiring in Thailand before you go, saving the conversion (and the fee), there are slightly different hoops you need to jump through to get that, depending on what country you're in at the moment.

I've been led to believe that they usually issue a single entry (good for 90 days) so that you can sort yourself out, get a Thai bank account and transfer the money in to it. It has to have been there for 60 days for the first annual extension. Then you go for the extension of stay, which is good for a year.

Don't forget to get re-entry permits as well if you intend to leave Thailand during that extension of stay.

There's plenty of info around the forum about the different visas and extensions of stay, so you should be able to find the right one for you.

Hope it all works out and that we will be neighbours sooner rather than later!

Biff

[Forethat]

There's a maximum age for adoption, I think in your case it might be a problem. There's also a minimum marriage duration requirement. I dont think you will be able to adop.

Edit: potentially different when it is her kids, but I still wonders if this applies.

Edited November 21, 2011 by Forethat

[krobert6]

There's a maximum age for adoption, I think in your case it might be a problem. There's also a minimum marriage duration requirement. I dont think you will be able to adop.

Edit: potentially different when it is her kids, but I still wonders if this applies.

I cannot see any infor on the local Thai adoprion, plenty for people adopting overseas.

I will check it out when I get back there.

Thanks

Ken

[krobert6]

Thai wedding is a good idea, although 'small' might not cover it!

As for the visa, you can convert your Tourist visa to a non-imm in Thailand (for a small charge, of course!) and then apply for an extension based on retirement, for which you will need to show either 800K in a Thai bank account, or an income of 65K a month. Then you don't need to leave the country, it's not a multi-entry visa, it's an extension of stay, you report to immigration every 90 days as opposed to crossing a border and coming back again

You can get a non-imm type O based on the fact that you will be retiring in Thailand before you go, saving the conversion (and the fee), there are slightly different hoops you need to jump through to get that, depending on what country you're in at the moment.

I've been led to believe that they usually issue a single entry (good for 90 days) so that you can sort yourself out, get a Thai bank account and transfer the money in to it. It has to have been there for 60 days for the first annual extension. Then you go for the extension of stay, which is good for a year.

Don't forget to get re-entry permits as well if you intend to leave Thailand during that extension of stay.

There's plenty of info around the forum about the different visas and extensions of stay, so you should be able to find the right one for you.

Hope it all works out and that we will be neighbours sooner rather than later!

Biff

I will start with the 90 and sort things out when I arrive. I have a bank account already so I will take the topup whan I go next.

Buy you a beer when it is all over

[bifftastic]

I can almost taste it now!

[punch]

I have read that anything you have before the marriage (Thai) is not considered in any divorce settlement , and I am happy to contribute a house (if I build one ) to her should it not work. IN the meantime she has never asked me for anything at all, or even suggested that I provide, she still works to pay the kids kinder/carer fees etc. I would never consider bringing her back to Australia, not just for the financial implication , but because I want to live there in the future.

Tha father of the kids has no wish for cash - I think he feels lucky he does not have to pay to support them.

In Thailand true but if she can get to an Australian court, the rules are entirely different (especially if you have adopted her children).

Marriage in Thailand is only a good idea if you are thinking of creating children with her.

That's exactly it ludditeman. She doesn't even have to get to Australia to make a claim on krobert6's assets here. She just has to go to a lawyer and he makes contact with an Australian lawyer and before he knows it, he's given away half his assets. Expensive sex for a year!!

Just do everything with your eyes wide open krobert6!!!

mmmm

does a prenuphelp at all?

Pre nups only help if you get you tubes snipped, if she has your baby then you can be well and truely f__k_d... Just offer finacial support for a few years, what's the hurry. She won't go anywhere . If your worried she will then you should not be getting married..

[venturalaw]

That's exactly it ludditeman. She doesn't even have to get to Australia to make a claim on krobert6's assets here. She just has to go to a lawyer and he makes contact with an Australian lawyer and before he knows it, he's given away half his assets. Expensive sex for a year!!

Just do everything with your eyes wide open krobert6!!!

If they do not migrate to Australia, how would an Australian court be able to assert jurisdiction?

[expatdreamer]

That's exactly it ludditeman. She doesn't even have to get to Australia to make a claim on krobert6's assets here. She just has to go to a lawyer and he makes contact with an Australian lawyer and before he knows it, he's given away half his assets. Expensive sex for a year!!

Just do everything with your eyes wide open krobert6!!!

If they do not migrate to Australia, how would an Australian court be able to assert jurisdiction?

See my post #52 on Punch's "I am screwed and I know it" thread on this sub-forum which I believe is relevant to this question, at least for a defacto relationship.