I married in 1988 and divorced /separated in 1999 having 1 son 25 1 daughter 20 the divorce was made verbally and with no paper or mahr paid. Till 2012 my son an engineer got job I was paying maintenance. I had second marriage in 2000 having a son 10, since no paper for divorce is made and the divorced wife does not come forward for receiving mahr. Is this talaq final and how to pay the mahr? I shall be grateful.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(Fatwa: 1374/1374/M=11/1434)
The talaq occurred immediately on your wife when you divorced her in 1999. It is not necessary to prepare paper for talaq. Verbal talaq is also valid. It was wrong that you have not paid the mahr yet. If the divorced wife does not come to collect the mahr then you should send her the mahr. However, it is necessary to pay the mahr.
Allah knows Best!
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband