Greek-American Divorce: Which Law Applies When a Greek National Divorces a U.S. Citizen?

Remote Legal Guidance by E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC – Serving Clients in the U.S., Greece & Cyprus

Are you a Greek citizen living in the United States, married to an American citizen, and considering divorce? One of the first legal questions that arises is:

Which country has jurisdiction, and what law will apply?

At E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC, we provide remote legal support for international divorce cases involving Greek nationals and foreign spouses, especially within the Greek-American community. We offer online consultations in Greek, manage your case entirely remotely, and handle procedures across Greece and Cyprus.

USA Phone: +13474034789

 Email: info@hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com

 Website: www.hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com

 H2: Which Country Has Jurisdiction?

Jurisdiction depends on multiple factors, including:

• Where the marriage took place and was registered

• The residency and citizenship of both spouses

• Whether the couple has minor children or property

• Where the spouses currently live or hold assets

H3: Divorce in Greece

A Greek citizen, even if living in the U.S., can initiate divorce in Greece if:

• They maintain Greek nationality, or

• The marriage was registered with Greek authorities

H3: Divorce in the United States

The American spouse can also file for divorce in a U.S. state court. In that case, state family law applies, and the process follows U.S. procedural rules.

In some situations, parallel proceedings may occur — for example, divorce is finalized in the U.S., but recognition or property distribution is needed in Greece.

⚖️ H2: What Law Applies to the Divorce?

The applicable law depends on the location of the divorce proceedings:

• If the divorce is filed in Greece, then Greek family law applies

• If filed in the USA, the specific U.S. state’s family law applies

• In the presence of a prenup or postnuptial agreement, the choice of law may be governed by that document

❗ If the divorce is finalized in the U.S. and you need it to be recognized in Greece, you must apply for recognition of foreign divorce judgments before a Greek court.

 H2: What About Children, Custody & Support?

When children are involved, the case becomes more complex. Key considerations include:

• Where the child resides permanently

• Which court has legal jurisdiction for custody and support

Under Greek law, if one parent lives in Greece or the child is a Greek citizen, the Greek courts may claim jurisdiction. Otherwise, U.S. courts may handle custody based on state laws.

Alt text: Greek-American couple with their child discussing custody options in a law office

H2: What We Do at E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC

We offer legal services tailored to the needs of Greek nationals abroad:

• Case assessment and legal strategy for dual jurisdictions

• Preparation of all necessary legal documents

• Power of attorney drafting and execution via Greek consulate or apostille

• Representation in Greek courts for divorce, custody, and property issues

• Recognition of U.S. divorce in Greece

• Communication in Greek, with full client support online

We manage the entire process remotely for clients in the United States, with secure file exchanges and real-time communication.

USA Phone: +13474034789

Email: info@hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com

❓ H2: Frequently Asked Questions

H3: Can I file for divorce in Greece while living in the U.S.?

Yes. If you are a Greek citizen and your marriage is registered in Greece, you can file through a Greek lawyer with a power of attorney.

H3: Do I need to travel to Greece?

No. All actions can be performed remotely via our firm with proper authorization.

H3: Will the Greek court recognize my U.S. divorce?

Only after formal recognition (γνωστοποίηση αλλοδαπής απόφασης) in a Greek court.

H3: What if we have property in both countries?

We assist in coordinating property division through Greek courts or with notarial agreements that reflect your rights.

✅ Conclusion

If you’re a Greek citizen married to an American and are considering divorce, it is essential to understand where to file, what law applies, and how to protect your rights on both sides of the Atlantic.

At E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC, we handle divorce, child custody, and property issues remotely, offering online legal services in Greek for clients across the U.S., Greece, and Cyprus.

Schedule your online consultation today and take the next step toward resolving your case with clarity and confidence.