Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Bigamy

If someone is married to another person and they in turn marry someone else while in the process of divorce from the first party. What can happen if found to be married to the person who was currently married and what can happen to the person that they married? Also if the divorce from the first party is to be finalized by the courts say in two months, does the second marriage then become legal and binding?


Asked on 8/06/06, 12:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Fran Brochstein Attorney & Mediator

Re: Bigamy

The "innocent" second spouse, is not guilty of anything (ok - maybe being stupid but that is not a crime!)

Perhaps the second marriage will be valid when the first marriage is finalized & the people are divorced. You did not provide enough information for me to answer this question.

The person married to 2 people is legally a bigamist. However, the person might have innocently married the second person thinking the first marriage was over.

This happens often.

If you expect the person to be arrested and jailed, don't hold your breath. The jails are overflowing with serious criminals. The police are very busy with serious crime.

Read more
Answered on 8/07/06, 6:07 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Texas