Question: Lying in a divorce about seperation period? My partner has divorced her ex husband. They had one child together. \n\nHe told her that to get a divorce in time for his new marrage, she had to lie about the length of time they had been seperated. He told her, if she didn't, he couldn't marry his new partner so he wouldn't get his US green card, and would lose his job in the states, thus providing her with no maintainance for her child.\n\nHe has now married again. However their financial agreement has not been signed. He has now told her that he will not honour the agreement that was drawn up.\n\nWhat will happen if my partner comes clean about the lie? She feels she was coerced or blackmailed, is this the case? What can she do in this situation and what rights does she have? She has hardly enough money to provide for herself, legal help is definately out of the question, even legal aid was too expensive for her!

Answer: I'm not a lawyer, and I do think this question needs a legal expert to answer it properly.\n\nOne word of caution though... divorce is a legal process and, in admitting she told a lie, your partner could be leaving herself open to charges of perjury, contempt of court etc. and the sort of coercion you mention is difficult to prove.\n\nI'm not sure if The Child Support Agency has any arrangements with the US, but it might be worth checking with them (despite the bad press they have). Otherwise I think your partner may have to accept she's been the victim of someone who knows how to use the system to his advantage and/or publicise her case to get support. It may be worth raising it with her MP too. \n\nIt's not justice, perhaps, but it's all we've got...
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