5 Bizarre Divorce Laws from Around the World

Let us take a look at some of the most bizarre divorce laws around the globe.

Coffee or Divorce (Saudi)

In Saudi, a woman can file for divorce if her husband fails to bring fresh coffee every day. It means that if you are getting married in Saudi, ask first if your girlfriend loves coffee. This women’s right in Saudi means they can have Starbucks every day while remaining married.

If You Cheat, Don’t get Caught or You Will Die (Hong Kong)

A law was passed in Hong Kong allowing wives to kill their husband legally. This is if the wife catches the husband cheating. The caught in the act husband can be killed by the wife with no legal consequences provided that she will do it with her bare hands. Well, the ancient law didn’t specify if the husband can fight back or not.

Don’t Forget my Birthday or it is Goodbye (Samoa)

If you are a busy man and you keep on forgetting dates, be careful when marrying a Samoan woman. Samoa has legalized divorce on the ground of forgetfulness. A Samoan wife can divorce her husband if he forgets her natal day.

Don’t Look or Get Divorce (Kuwait)

According to the Bible, looking at a woman with lust is a sin. Kuwait believes in this. If a married man is caught looking lustfully or sensually on any female entity (person or animal), he can be cursed. This means he can face jail time or worst, his wife can divorce him if he gets caught doing it repeatedly.

Do Things Right When I am with You (Utah)

There is this ancient law that men in Utah are accountable for their wife’s behavior. Aren’t we all? In Utah though, this only applies if he is with her when she acted out. If he was not around at the time of action, then it is not his obligation. Ah, time to call a Utah divorce attorney.

It is not clear whether people still practice these bizarre laws regarding divorce and marriage. One thing is clear if you are facing marital challenges and you think divorce can solve it, talk to a Utah divorce attorney. Remember though, marital problem and divorce can affect your kids. Your lawyer must be able to provide you with options in the end.


Author Statement:
The Wall's have over more 190 years of combined legal experience as divorce and family law attorneys. They aggressively represent their clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property and debt division.


Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388

Can Men Get Alimony in Utah?

While no one gets married with the intent of getting divorced, data from the Indicator-Based Information System (IBIS) indicates that 3.4 in every 1000 people divorced in Utah in 2017. One of the issues divorcing couples have to deal with is alimony.

Alimony is a court-directed payment made from one spouse to the disadvantaged spouse to help them maintain a lifestyle that’s close to how they lived when they were married. In a cooperative divorce, the two parties may agree on who pays alimony and how much will be paid without involving the court.

Alimony laws in Utah

A common misconception is that only women should be awarded alimony. According to the Utah laws, a man can receive alimony if he was the caregiver while the woman was the breadwinner. Normally, a court decides on whether alimony payment is viable after dividing the couple’s marital property. This way, the judge is aware of each spouse’s income, assets, properties, and debt obligations.

What factors are considered before alimony is awarded in Utah?

Apart from one spouse’s need for support and the other’s financial ability to pay alimony, a court of law is likely to consider such factors as:-

• The recipient’s earning capacity or their ability to earn an income
• The length of the marriage – the longer you have been married, the more likely it is that either of you will have to pay alimony.
• Each spouse’s contribution to the marriage - this includes but is not limited to education, childcare, and career building.
• Which parent obtains custody of children if any
• The age, physical, and emotional wellbeing of both spouses

Depending on the circumstances, the court may order temporary, short-term, or long-term alimony payments. Temporary alimony is awarded in the course of the divorce proceedings and not after the conclusion of the case. Short-term alimony could be awarded to allow the recipient to obtain the necessary skills to become employed. Long-term or permanent alimony is granted to a spouse who has significant needs or has zero earning capacity.

How a divorce attorney Utah helps when it comes to alimony

There is a lot of jurisdiction when it comes to divorce cases. In some cases, judgment is based on newly set precedents that would be unknown to a layman. As such, it is vital to work with a competent divorce attorney Utah to help you argue your case effectively.

If you find yourself facing a divorce, contact Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law. We have been in practice since 1973, and we offer a 30 minutes free consultation and case review session. We offer military discounts to service members and offer DIY divorce solutions.

Author Statement:
The Wall's have over more 190 years of combined legal experience as divorce and family law attorneys. They aggressively represent their clients in matters including the complex and difficult issues surrounding paternity, child custody, alimony, grandparent rights, property and debt division.

Wall & Wall Attorneys At Law PC
2168 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-441-2388