Item: Jonathan D. Katz
Rating: 5
Author: Greg Weaver

Manhattan Marriage Mystery: Husband Accused of Committing Fraud, Secretly Divorcing Wife

January 20, 2016

Gabriel Villa and Cristina Carta Villa had what appeared to be a perfect marriage lasting over 20 years. However, unbeknownst to Mrs. Villa, Mr. Villa was actually divorced from his wife nearly the entire time. Only a few months after getting married in 1994, Mr. Villa secretly secured a divorce from his new bride.

A Secret Divorce to Shield Assets

At no point was the divorce registered or acknowledged in New York, where the couple’s primary residence was located. Mr. Villa even allegedly went so far as to hire attorneys to represent each spouse when he secretly filed for divorce in the Dominican Republic.

It is believed that Mr. Villa got the divorce so that he could shield his personal assets from his wife. At least that’s what Mrs. Villa’s lawyers are alleging in a lawsuit recently filed in Manhattan Supreme Court. Mrs. Villa is currently suing her ex-husband for fraud and attempting to nullify the divorce. Since Mrs. Villa did not even know about the divorce, her lawyers argue, she could not have consented to it.

Mrs. Villa learned about the secret divorce when she saw a tax bill for their NYC home and noticed that she was not listed on the deed. In fact, Mr. Villa had managed to get her name removed from the deed to the Manhattan apartment by using the Dominican divorce as proof. Now she is trying to stop her “husband” from selling their apartment – a sale that Mr. Villa is currently free to make on his own because the apartment is listed only in his name.

This “divorce” case figures to be particularly contentious because of the secretive nature of the divorce and the allegations of fraud. Moreover, the stakes in this case are extremely high: property records indicate that condos like the Villas’ apartment in the Midtown area of Manhattan typically sell for $1.4 million.

To learn more about this fascinating case, read the New York Post article, “Husband Secretly Divorced Wife after Wedding ‘to Protect Assets.’”

If you are a NY resident thinking about filing for divorce, you should speak to a qualified divorce attorney before making any final decisions. Jonathan D. Katz is an experienced divorce and family law attorney who can assist you with the divorce process. Contact Mr. Katz today to schedule a consultation about your case.

★★★★★

I was living a nightmare of being falsely accused in a judicial system that considers all fathers to be dead beat dads until proven innocent. Living out of state and facing the possibility of jail, I miraculously found Jon’s website and called his office. Within a week the tables were turned, the lies were exposed, and the harassment was stopped. If you need someone that will challenge the system, then you need Jonathan Katz. Greg Weaver

Jon’s integrity towards his clients is what makes him a standout attorney. He makes it a priority to know what's important to you. You’re not just a number. He is upfront with you right from the start. He will not string you along just for his financial benefit. He is only willing to settle the case if that's truly what you want. Anytime I called him I received a call back from him that day. Not someone else in the office. He is an attorney that has a passion for what's important to his clients. John Morrissey

Being a single mom, I had enough stress in my life. I had no idea how to go about protecting myself. My daughters were my priority. Jon walked me through the process. He turned a difficult time into a workable solution. Diane Chiriani

Jon thinks well, works to be clear and honest. He works to get to a strong argument. He seems to have a good working relationship with everybody at the courthouse. I get the feeling he has no trouble thinking like a judge. He is friendly and courteous. He doesn't overbill. He takes and returns calls promptly. His legal staff is friendly and competent. What's not to like? Rick S.

I liked that there was always transparency throughout my case. Genevieve H.

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