I'm worried my spouse will argue that we are not properly married, e.g., that an Islamic marriage is not valid, what can I do? ============================================================================================================================== In order to get divorced in England and Wales, your marriage must be recognised as legally valid. Therefore, a person may claim that their marriage is not valid, to deprive their spouse of the financial remedies they would be entitled to upon divorce. Fortunately, if your wedding was in England and Wales, this will generally be easy to assess as English and Welsh law lays down strict licencing requirements for wedding venues. In other countries, things can be far more complicated. However, even if your marry abroad, as long as your marriage met the legal requirements of the country where your marriage took place, it will be legally valid in England and Wales. If your marriage did not meet the necessary legal criteria, the court may still be able to make financial provision upon it ending. For example, if a marriage is deemed 'void', *i.e.* having all the characteristics of a marriage but being void for technical reasons, then the marriage can be annulled. On annulment, a spouse is entitled to the same financial provision as on divorce (learn more [here](https://vardags.com/law-guide/legal-marriage-requirements/non-marriages-void-marriages-voidable-marriages)). The validity of marriages is a complex area of law. Vardags have significant experience in some of the leading cases on nullity, and will try to help you whatever the facts of your case. **If you're considering or going through a divorce, click below for a free initial consultation with one of our expert divorce solicitors.** [BOOK MY FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact "BOOK MY FREE CONSULTATION") About Us -------- Ayesha VardagFounder & President "A DIVORCE LAWYER WIDELY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST" The Metro Vardags offer a unique approach to the law, specially tailored to the needs of HNW individuals. We offer City-quality representation for your divorce and family law needs. Our lawyers come from the very best universities and receive the very best training - they are determined, diligent, and dedicated to getting the best outcome... [read more](https://vardags.com/about-us) [BOOK FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact) What our clients say -------------------- Vardags were outstanding throughout my divorce. They were incredibly supportive from the very first meeting & when my mother passed away a month into the proceedings they were so kind & understanding. Amanda Allen I am so happy I got to make the call to Vardags first! Excellent service. Whole team of forensics that I would have been totally lost without. I really cannot thank you enough for a perfect outcome to a complicated and not easy... case. Your care throughout was amazing. Christina Wolff The Vardags Teams are incredible! The level of customer service just and simply stunning. At difficult times what is important as a customer is to feel heard and Vardags has the ability to do that! Their work is impeccable and... that is the reason why the outcome they get with and for you is the best possible at all times. Mariette Terrisse Hilborne Vardags takes care to match the client to the solicitor. Within 2 months, Vardags got me everything I needed. I would not have the future I now have in front of me if it wasn't for Vardags. N Beresford-Tomlin From the moment Vardags rescued us from a very worrying situation regarding our surrogacy parental order process, we have felt nothing but absolute support and reassurance, received thorough information, top level professionalism... and a truly personal service. Their job is to make the process easier, but they do that with bells on! Over and above. Thank you, thank you. Sophie Beresiner I cannot thank Gareth, Kate, Claire and all the team at Vardags enough for their excellent expertise and professional approach to my divorce case. They have helped me reach a successful conclusion to a process to which I could... see no end. The last three years have been the most traumatic of my life. Their calm and thorough approach and attention to detail reassured me that I was in the best capable hands.They gave me realistic expectations but yet exceeded them. They have definitely lived up to their name of being a top divorce and family law firm. S. Gasparini OFFICES ------- [London](https://vardags.com/office/london "London") 020 7404 9390 [Cambridge](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/cambridge "Cambridge") 01223 855751 [Manchester](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/manchester "Manchester") 0161 464 4657 International 020 7404 9390 [Milan](https://vardags.com/it-it/copertura-territoriale/milano "Milan") +390282954578 [Florence](https://vardags.com/it-it/copertura-territoriale/firenze "Florence") +390282954578