Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
Bygamy and Common Law Marriage
My fiance's divorce was filed in California, on June 18the the 6 mo. wait period will be over; our wedding is set for 7/4/02. His ''ex'' has found out we are to be married and is now threatening to ''stop'' the divorce if we don't give her $3000.00. If we went through with our wedding w/out the marriage license would we be committing bygamy? TX does recognize common law marriage and basically the requirements are that you hold yourself out as married and live together for significant time. We've lived together for 6 months now.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Bygamy and Common Law Marriage
Texas does recognize common law marriage -- BUT you can only be married to one person at a time. Therefore, your boyfriend is currently married so there is nothing he can do to be married to you too.
I don't practice law in Californi, so I don't know if she can "stop" the divorce. I would talk to your divorce lawyer there and see what he/she says. Or, send out another lawguru.com email to CA attorneys.
Good luck!
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