What to Do After You Say "I Do": Divorce deception: Man forges wife's identify on divorce papers, police say

What took place

A Houston man now has to answer to his spouse and the courts. Harris County Precinct 4 deputies observed Paul Nixon, fifty one, tried to deceive the Harris County District Clerk's workplace by way of forging his wife's signature on divorce papers.

"he's imagined to have forged documents together with her signature to are attempting to solidify the divorce," noted Constable Mark Herman with Pct. 4. "The spouse inadvertently knew nothing about the complaints or the divorce decree."

Nixon has been charged with aggravated perjury. He currently has a warrant out for his arrest.

How he did it

Constable investigators were contacted through Nixon's spouse who instructed them her husband filed for divorce without her advantage or consent. She also instructed deputies that every one courtroom proceedings and the ultimate divorce decree had been accomplished with out her figuring out. Deputies launched an investigation and discovered Nixon submitted a number of forged documents and false counsel to Harris County District courtroom 257, together with a forged waiver of provider and forged signature of a notary public.

court docket documents display Nixon filed for divorce on Feb. 15, 2019 in the 257th District courtroom. On April 17, 2019, uncontested waiver divorce papers have been submitted to the court with solid signature of Nixon's spouse and a notary public, in accordance with Herman. The decide ordered to set aside the last judgment on may 30, 2019 due the falsified document.

What we learn about Aggravated Perjury

KPRC2 criminal analyst Brian Wice defines aggravated perjury as "telling a really massive lie after you've got been put below oath in connection with a court continuing the place your lie makes a difference."

Wice talked about the cost is a 3rd-degree felony, which can result in as much as 10 years in detention center and as much as $5,000 in fines. Wice pointed out Aggravated Perjury instances as they pertain to a divorce are rare and may ensue with out the different better half figuring out.

"In a circumstance where the divorce is allegedly uncontested your presence can be waived," he referred to. The lawyers can display up and sign and agreed judgment."

What's next

Nixon is legally still married because the court docket decided to set apart the remaining judgment due to the falsified documents, Wice noted.

"As badly as Mr. Nixon wanted a divorce, as badly as he desired out that he would allegedly engage during this sort of conduct, yeah, they are nevertheless married," Wice said. "now and again, it be more cost-effective to keep her."

Deputies noted they are actively searching for Nixon.

"we've groups out hunting for him at the moment, i will be able to tell you. And we have an idea where he's at," Herman talked about. "So with a bit of luck, he'll flip himself in. If not, we are going to capture him. just a depend of time."