Re: Significance of Haq Mehr in a non-islamic country.
You can have a lawyer in the country where you live write your nikkah contract to make sure that it is legally enforceable. Mehr is a requirement for an Islamic marriage - whoever tells you it's a formality sounds like they are trying to get out of paying it. :(
There was a case in Virginia a year or so ago where the judge enforced the provisions from the nikkah contract. The man wanted to avoid paying the mehr and agreeing to the other provisions (big surprise!) The ruling was to the effect that if it was drawn up like any other contract, it was legally enforceable.