Legal Question in Family Law in California

Bigamy - Any Legal Recourse?

My friend who lives in Modesto, got married in June in Reno. The husband is from Fremont and works in Fremont. He never did move in with her giving all kinds of excuses. He supposedly was divorced. He promised to buy her a house but when it came time to sign the papers he was nowhere to be found. Even though she had no money, the realtor talked her into writing a check for $3000 to secure the house. The husband finally showed up and deposited $4500 in her account, it bounced and now her account is frozen. We did some investigating and found out her husband is still married. We also found out that he was also married before this and got a divorce from this wife in Tijuana. My friend talked to 2 attys, the first one laughed at her, the second told her "you don't need an atty, you need a cop".

What can she do legally?


Asked on 8/24/99, 1:29 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Matthew Kremer Law Offices of Matthew M. Kremer

Re: Bigamy - Any Legal Recourse?

1. Bring action for nullity of marriage to annul the marriage based upon (a) fraud (never lived with her) and (b) bigamy (he was married when he married her).

2. Report the bigamy to the police.

3. Sue him in civil court for damages ($3,000?).

The first one will be easy. The second will probably go no where, the last is probably a waste of time and money.

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Answered on 8/25/99, 4:59 pm


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