Junda v. Diez

Appellant Stephen Junda (“Junda”) and Maria Diez (“Diez”) were married on December 27, 1995. Diez filed for dissolution of their marriage on November 30, 1998. On December 3, 1999, the trial court granted Junda’s motion to amend the pleadings to seek an annulment on the ground that Diez, a native of Venezuela, was still married to her husband in that country.

Approximately sixteen months later, on April 12, 2001, a final hearing was held. Because Diez was unable to provide documentary evidence that her Venezuelan marriage had been terminated by divorce, the trial court granted Diez a…