I am a Filipino, married to a Taiwanese for 21 years. I was 19 years old and we have a 25 year-age gap. Prior to marriage, I had 2 children from previous relationship, which he helped me raised up. He wanted to have a child with me prior to marriage but after getting pregnant, he changed his mind and forced me to have an abortion. It happened 3 more times. He refused vasectomy and opted instead to other (unsuccessful methods) and advised me against taking contraceptive pills.
The 5th and last pregnancy resulted in ectopic. I was devastated and no matter how I pled, it has fallen into deaf ears. It changed the chemistry between us. I was isolated. Couldnāt speak the language and discouraged to have friends. I didnāt have the money to sue him although he supports me and my family well.
He discouraged me to get my degree and now being 42 years old without education and work skills, tough times are ahead of me. A compensation would help me a lot when I start a new chapter in my life. Although these were challenging times, I stuck it out. 3 years ago, I discovered that heās been cheating on me and had a 2 year-serious affair.
He later on admitted that heās been cheating me for the past 12 years (different women) and it is still going on. He wasnāt using any protection so I stopped getting intimate with him for 2 years now to protect myself in contracting sexual disease, unless he can show a negative blood test, which he refuses to do because itās humiliating to request such.
Pardon me for a long background informationā¦
My marriage has reached a point where we cannot mend it. I want to file for divorce here but skeptical of the outcome if it will rule in my favour. I am only under ARC (Alien Resident Certificate). I am not after Taiwan citizenship because I recently acquired Australian citizenship.
Heās a big businessman and has influential connections. He moved most of his money to offshore accounts & created a company name (under him and his childrenās) and transferred most of his assets (real estate & stock shares) to his children from 1st marriage. However, there are still some that are under his name. He threatens to take me out with the very last cent I have should I decide to sue him.
Someone told me that his offshore accounts could be investigated and use it to pressure him to settle with me during the mediation process. He is evading tax for years. Also, I have to pay the court 1% of the amount I am claiming. The question is, will I pay every time I appeal? There are 3 tiers-District, Higher & Supreme.
Has anyone been in a similar predicament?
Although he admitted to having affairs and I have collected evidences such as their correspondences, boarding passes, receipts & pictures, itās of no use in court unless I have a video showing them having sex. I have, however kept my pregnancy tests although my abortion records are gone (clinics only keep records for 7 years). I kept them because thatās the only connection with my lost children that I still grieve for.
Another thing worth mentioningā¦ I live most of the time in Australia. Is it desertion? Is it a ground for contested divorce? In the near future, I intent on getting employed in Australia because the allowance heās giving me isnāt enough to support my family and he wouldnāt budge to increase it. I am desperate to augment my income.
Thank you and any input is highly appreciated.
that he admitted to having an affair, I think that should be enough. (Eavesdropping is illegal, but not when you have a valid reason for it.)
Thanks BHL4 life.