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Ex-Wife was still married when WE were!

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M

morethan1

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CALIFORNIA

This is a peculiar question and story. My wife and I were married 12 years ago and divorced 5 years later. Since then we got back together and have been together for 4 years. We did not get re-married.

Recently I discovered a marriage certificate from Nevada indicating she was married a few years before we met. I HAD NEVER KNOWN THIS.

Unless that marriage ended in divorce or annulment what does that mean for the marriage that we had? Is it possible that due to the circumstances I might be able to have our divorce records destroyed since the marriage probably was not valid?

In general, what does this mean?
 


P

Proserpina

Senior Member
morethan1 said:
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CALIFORNIA

This is a peculiar question and story. My wife and I were married 12 years ago and divorced 5 years later. Since then we got back together and have been together for 4 years. We did not get re-married.

Recently I discovered a marriage certificate from Nevada indicating she was married a few years before we met. I HAD NEVER KNOWN THIS.

Unless that marriage ended in divorce or annulment what does that mean for the marriage that we had? Is it possible that due to the circumstances I might be able to have our divorce records destroyed since the marriage probably was not valid?

In general, what does this mean?
Click to expand...
When you asked her about this, what did she say?
 
P

Proserpina

Senior Member
morethan1 said:
I have not asked her about it yet.

I'd like to sort out what the different scenarios are first.
Click to expand...
She'd be the ideal person to answer the questions of if and when she was divorced, the circumstances, etc., etc.

Honestly - there's not an awful lot anyone else can do without knowing the basics..though admittedly, I'm curious as to a) how this discovery came about, and b) your goal here...
 
M

morethan1

Junior Member
Proserpina said:
She'd be the ideal person to answer the questions of if and when she was divorced, the circumstances, etc., etc.

Honestly - there's not an awful lot anyone else can do without knowing the basics..though admittedly, I'm curious as to a) how this discovery came about, and b) your goal here...
Click to expand...
I was cleaning out the attic and getting rid of old things and the marriage cert was in a folder.

I have no goal, i'm just curious what it means legally. Seems to me that quite possibly she is STILL legally married.

It simply makes me wonder what that legally means for the marriage and divorce we had.
 
M

mistoffolees

Senior Member
morethan1 said:
It simply makes me wonder what that legally means for the marriage and divorce we had.
Click to expand...
Probably nothing.

There are two scenarios:

1. She got a divorce from the first marriage before she married you. In that case, your marriage was valid.

2. She didn't get a divorce before she married you. In that case she committed bigamy, but since you already divorced her, it's too late to do anything about it and it no longer matters.
 
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