What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? california
I have just gotten divorced and was court ordered to provide a settlement payment to my ex-spouse. My ex has just passed away and during the estate settlement proceedings I have learned he was previously married at the time our marrage took place. I would like to recover my settlement without spending a fortune to do so. Any ideas where I can go for help?
Unless it was an immense amount of money, it will cost you more to keep that money than to let it go.
You'd need to provide more details, though. Are you sure he was married when he married you or just going on hearsay. Could there have been a divorce that you're not aware of?
If he was fully separated from his 1st wife and never had contact with you from the time you married onward, then it seems to me that he was married to you in a very real sense even if you might be able to legally void the marriage. By that rationale, his estate is ethically entitled to half of the equity accumulated during your marriage (which I am assuming is what the settlement payment was all about).
If he was actually married to both of you at the same time, then you're going to need to see an attorney to straighten it out - and it's likely to be expensive since his estate will presumably fight it. There's already one thread here about someone where an estate battle has basically wiped out everything the couple owned. Yours could go the same way.
Again, unless it's a huge amount of money, I'd let it go. If it IS a huge amount of money, see an attorney and ask for their advice.
