Please help me, learned and knowledgeable experts...
I am an NRI, and I married an Indian woman 7 years ago, and last year she left the home 2 weeks after getting green card in hand (green card sponsored by me). Withn 2 months she filed a divorce case, with the grounds "irreconcilable differences". She hired a laywer.
I also hired a lawyer in the US and responded to her petition, and did not contest. Both of us subjected to the US law (California) and then our lawyers followed the due procedures and helped us formulate an agreement, and we both signed an agreement, by which I shared half of the marital property.
The judgement was granted 2 months ago, and I payed the money (pretty hefty sum) amounts to her and I have evidence of her encashing the cheques. I have been paying her alimony per the settlement agreement.
We also signed a clause that this is the full and final settlement of the divorce case, and that neither party will pursue any further proceedings against each other within or outside of the US. She signed it too.
Now 2 months after the US judgement / divorce decree granted, she is threatening my extended family and parents of "dire consequences". She called them up and threatened verbally that she will file a false dowry case and other false cases to make them suffer like hell...and that the US divorce case was only the first "blow" againts me, and more is to come.
My question to you esteemed panel of experts is that, she being the petitioner in the US divorce case, and the divorce having been already granted:
- Can she challange the judgement in India? After all, she is the one who filed for divorce, she was the petitioner in US, the court granted the divorce and she took the money, property etc. per the agreement...!!
- Will this US divorce decree be valid in India...? Do I have to do anything to get it validated? I am the respondent, not the petitioner.
- Can she still file a 498a case or domestic violence case etc. against me or my parents in India or my extended family in India or US? What are my legal options, grounds etc. to quash those nonsensical cases?
- Will my parents be arrested etc.? I will send them a divorce decree copy...
- Can she ask for additional maintenance etc. in India? In the US agreement, she accepted the alimony amount and signed saying it is more than enough to meet her needs! She is also employed in the US.
I am thinking of starting criminal proceedings against her in the US, due to her threats. I have phone records of the calls made by her. Will that help in any way to fend off the cases brought against me in India?
Please advice what are my legal options. Please also provide me with the contacts of good family laywers in Hyderabad, AP, India.
Thank you in advance for the advice....
Regards.
Andy
