QUESTION
How can I find out if my second marriage was legal?
Asked on Feb 03rd, 2014 on Divorce - Texas
More details to this question:
I was married when I was 17 to a very abusive guy. A lawyer friend of my ex husband's family took care of the divorce so I didn't ever see an attorney. I was young and very scared so I just let him take care of everything. I remarried a couple years later. My parents checked with the attorney and they were told when I was free to marry so we went to Las Vegas and we were married. I have been married for 47 years to a wonderful guy. I have tried to forget about that time of my life because it was so abusive but for some reason I have this bad feeling that the lawyer gave me the wrong date that I was free to marry. I'm sure my divorce was finalized but my parents were the ones who handled the details so I'm wondering if I did remarry a few weeks before the divorce was final, does that make my 47 year old married invalid? I remember signing the final papers but I did not really read them. What brought this whole thing up is I'm getting ready to apply for SS spousal benefits and I read that I might need my final divorce papers to apply. I could use some advice? Thank you.
5 ANSWERS
Review or obtain copies of the divorce judgment. If the dates show a problem, you should consult a family law attorney to review all of the facts and advise you.
Answered on Feb 07th, 2014 at 1:30 PM
Social Security Disability Attorney serving Melbourne, FL
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Law Office of Robert E. McCall
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Check with the Clerk of Courts for the county where the divorce was filed, they can give exact dates when things happened.
Answered on Feb 07th, 2014 at 1:24 PM
Commercial Contracts Attorney serving Boise, ID
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Peters Law, PLLC
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Well I suppose you could look at it as being fun to live in sin for 47 years or as my wife's uncle said in a somewhat similar situation, can I go play the field now? No, you are married and have been for 47 mostly wonderful years. I don't think that the divorce paperwork will be necessary. You have marriage certificate if it gets down to that and that should be all that SS wants. It wouldn't hurt to call them and see if there is anything more, but I doubt it.
Answered on Feb 04th, 2014 at 2:23 PM
Appellate Attorney serving Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
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Musilli Brennan Associates, PLLC
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Hire attorney to look into this matter if you cannot do so yourself. Generally, any marriage which was performed prior to the time that the divorce is final would be considered null and void. That said, your circumstances may allow you to seek from record some kind of remedy if it is determined that your second marriage was invalid.
Answered on Feb 04th, 2014 at 2:23 PM
Personal Injury Attorney serving San Antonio, TX
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Law Offices of James P. Peterson
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You can check with the District Clerk in county where the divorce was granted and get a copy of the Decree thee.
Answered on Feb 04th, 2014 at 2:22 PM