The client wants a divorce.
She has been separated for more than 15 years. Back then, the husband disappeared. No contact ever since. “Somewhere in the Balkans,” she says, “Kosovo, Montenegro, around there. He is making damn sure that ain’t nobody ever gonna find him.”
Also, she says, he is highly dangerous. Something about smuggling and weapons and gang warfare. With plenty of bodies buried in the Balkan forests.
Obviously, the case appeals to me.
I already see myself climbing the peaks of the Durmitor mountain range and swimming through Tara Canyon. Getting the backpack ready, I am looking forward to weeks of drudging myself from village to village, asking around for Mister ….. and on the lookout for hajduk henchmen.
But I am still a professional lawyer, so first I need to carry out some due diligence. I have to run an internet search for the disappeared husband.
After a few minutes, I have found him. I send him a message, he calls back right away. It’s a rather pleasant conversation. Of course he agrees to the divorce, no problem at all.
Almost disappointing that the case got resolved so easily.
Also, I really would have loved to see the face of the Family Court in Germany, had I handed in my invoice for three weeks of criss-crossing the peaks of the Balkans.
Links:
- More of that dry legal stuff, particularly about family law.
- More stories from Yugoslavia.
- And, if you ever got an interesting case requiring weeks of international travel, this is my little law firm.
The Happy Hermit 
nice view…. nice cottages.
Both photos are from Montenegro, probably the most beautiful country in Europe.
wow…. lovely… just lovely… many thanks.
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So anti-climactic!
But what did you mean when you wrote “had I handed in my invoice for three weeks of criss-crossing the peaks of the Balkans”?
I can’t imagine the court would compensate you for that, right? You meant that they would see the invoice you gave your client, I assume?
Very anti-climatic indeed.
Bloody internet, taking out the romance and adventure from anything in life!
I am glad someone asked, so I can explain in detail: My client has a lower than average income, so she qualifies for legal aid. That means that the Justice Department of the respective state pays the attorney’s and the court fees, as well as all necessary expenses (e.g. for translations).
As the petitioner’s lawyer, I would of course have argued that finding the respondent in some valley of the Vjosa was absolutely necessary and that the State of Saxony should therefore pay my travel expenses. (Which are usually quite low, because I am an expert in travelling cheaply.)
I have a feeling that the dispute about expenses would have dragged on for much longer and be contested much more fiercely than the actual divorce.
By the way, because it might be useful for my international readers: Legal aid in Germany is also available to foreigners, whether you live in Germany or not. You just need to be involved in a court case in Germany.
Blast it, and I was going to offer my services as your bodyguard.
Maybe when I have a case in dangerous Wallonia!