Do I need to file for a divorce if the man I married was still legally married to his first wife?
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Do I need to file for a divorce if the man I married was still legally married to his first wife?
He just filed for a divorce from his first wife and never told me that he was married and he has a child by her and by me. We were “married” for 4 years.
Asked on June 7, 2011 under Family Law, Tennessee
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Since this is a case of bigamy you should not file for a divorce. Instead you should file for an annulment. He was already married to his first wife when he married you, therefore your marriage (the second) is void and the court cannot grant you a divorce. It can however grant you an annulment. An annulment is a legal proceeding in which a marriage is declared invalid. From a legal perspective, once an annulment is granted it is as though the marriage never happened. This means that there is no property to divide and the court does not have the power to award spousal support to either party, although matters of child support can be addressed.
Note: Even though in the yes of the law the marriage never existed, both the marriage and the nullity proceeding will be a matter of public record and anyone can access that information.
At this point you need to consult directly with a divorce or family law attorney.
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