Tshiani v. Tshiani

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

In this case, we have been asked to invalidate an allegedly impermissible “proxy” marriage that had lasted more than eighteen years. This appeal comes to us from the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, where the circuit judge granted appellee Marie-Louise Tshiani’s (“Marie-Louise”) request for absolute divorce, alimony, property division, child support, and attorney’s fees. Appellant Noel Tshiani (“Noel”) contends that there can be no divorce and no monetary award because the parties’ marriage in the Democratic Republic of Congo is *47not valid under Maryland law. We reject…