I am a American citizen and my wife is a Russian citizen, we were married 1.5 years ago and we live in United States, she and her son from her first marriage have a residency permit in USA. Recently she secured through the Russian courts the relinquishment of any parental rights by her first husband (Russian) to her son. The next step we wanted to take was to effect the change of her surname to be the same as mine and also to achieve the same for her son by virtue of her name change, assuming that Russia recognizes the US marriage certificate? What is the position with this and how to achieve it? There is another complication, her ex-husband somehow managed to remove their registration in Russia, how does this effect things and what needs to be done.

Dear Ms. Krasnova and Team,

My name is Susan. I am a US citizen. My future husband Max is a Russian citizen. We have a question about marriage jurisdiction, pre-nups and inheritance.

Basically I want to know if there is a way to sign a pre-nup either under Russian or US law (or both) which would state that any inheritance I might receive from my old father (non-property) when he dies is mine ONLY and cannot be claimed by my husband.

Background...
Max and I were planning on getting married in Russia and then eventually moving to the US. We were going to do this because we have been told by friends that it is much faster and easier than the fiancé-visa route. My father, however, is concerned about this idea: he does not want the jurisdiction of the marriage to be Russian because he is afraid that if he dies soon and leaves me a non-property inheritance (cash, bonds) that part of his gift could be claimed by my future husband and expatriated to Russia.

I would still prefer to get married in Russia and NOT to go the fiancé route, if it is possible to sign some sort of pre-nup that would be valid in both jurisdictions.

Reading your website, I have learnt that US pre-nups are only valid for those articles which correspond to Russian law (so could we sign a Russian pre-nup?). I've also learnt that RESIDENCE is the main factor in determining a marriage's jurisdiction. On this point I am afraid, though, because I do not own property in the US, but Max does have property in Russia. If we were to live in a rented apt. in the US, could he still claim that our residence was in Russia? If not, how long would we have to rent the apt. for in the US to establish residence there? What if we moved around between Switzerland and the US (I may begin work in Geneva soon)? How would our residence be determined in that situation?

i am indian citizen. i have relationship with russian woman . she is divorced and russian citizen. now she is pregnant and may deliver a baby after 5 months. we are not married but have good relationship and no conflict.

i want to know if such child can be russian citizen if birth is in russia? is it necessary for me to be present in russia during delivery, birth of child by russian law? is it a offence to have child without marriage by russian law ? i can accept peternity without marriage?

Also can such a child can get status of PIO (person of indian origin) by indian, russian law (PIO is not dual citizenship but similar to it).

One of Saint-Petersburg federal courts is considering the civil case between two citizens of Russia, who during the past 20 years have been residing in the USA, concerning the marriage dissolution, dissolution of marriage, recovery of alimony, determination of the child’s place of residence, and division of property jointly acquired in wedlock.

The proceeding on this civil case was initiated on the ground of the fact that the parties (citizens of Russia and USA) and their minor child (US citizen by birth) have permanent residence registration in Russia.

I am going to marry an American citizen. I have recently divorced my ex-husband, the child is now one year old. My ex-husband is against my new marriage and child’s going abroad. What can I do, taking into account the fact that my ex-husband is supporting the child within his powers- pays 3000-4000 Rubles per month voluntary without any court decree?

I (dutch) my wife (Russian) got married in Russia when I worked there, I lived in Russia with her and her kids for approx. 1 yr. We moved to holland, together with her children, 14 yrs ago. The children are adult now. My wife never worked in those years in holland, we live from my salary.
- since we got married in Russia, we lived there, do we divorce according russian law or according to dutch law.
- does the russian divorce law also have something like partner alimony?

About jurisdiction

My daughter got married in Texas and then left for Russia. Her husband wants a divorce, and proposes Annulment, on the ground of "fraud". What consequences will it entail for the future life of my daughter (for example, career). Can he do it without her, and is it really possible to “pin on” such a ground (in fact, there was love and consent)? Why is he afraid of "Divorce" and how to allay his fears? (She is not going to lay claims to anything. Is she required to go to America in order to get a divorce? If she remains married in America, will it be of importance for her in Russia and in general?

My Russian wife and I have divorced a year ago. We are now dividing property in The US. Her mothers apartment was put in my wifes name during our marriage. She is not willing to negotiate or communicate. I would like to know what I may do in regards to forcing a sale of her apartment in Russia. She is claiming half the property here in spite of who paid for it. May I do the same in Russia? If so how could we do this?

I can get divorced in Russia. I should add that it's likely that my wife will leave for the US - but I can file in Russia irrespective of whether my wife goes to UK, USA or continues to stay in Russia