Which, if any, marriage is legal?

[grneyes]

In 84 I got married to W in Tennesee and we had one child and lived together in Indiana for 13 years. I was told by Indiana legal aid that it was not a valid marriage because his divorce from 1st wife was not final until 3 months later. (At the time of our marriage he thought it was final.)

We split in 96 and thinking our marriage was void I married B in 98. I have since learned that legal aid may have been mistaken since W did believe the divorce was final and the fact that we had a child.

So, is the first marriage legal or the 2nd? If the first one is, how can I get proof? I am currently in Ontario and unable to get to the US at this time due to finances but I need something in writing to prove whether or not I am still married to W.

Thanks,
Grn

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by grneyes

In 84 I got married to W in Tennesee and we had one child and lived together in Indiana for 13 years. I was told by Indiana legal aid that it was not a valid marriage because his divorce from 1st wife was not final until 3 months later. (At the time of our marriage he thought it was final.)

We split in 96 and thinking our marriage was void I married B in 98. I have since learned that legal aid may have been mistaken since W did believe the divorce was final and the fact that we had a child.

So, is the first marriage legal or the 2nd? If the first one is, how can I get proof? I am currently in Ontario and unable to get to the US at this time due to finances but I need something in writing to prove whether or not I am still married to W.

Thanks,
Grn

Neither one of your marriages was/is legal. However that didn't mean that you could simply walk away without properly disolving the marriage.

You need to annul the first marriage and then probably the second once as well....and then get married all over again if you want to remain together.