Am I legally married and, if so, how do I get out of this marriage?
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Am I legally married and, if so, how do I get out of this marriage?
I am a mail order minister who has been granted permission to ordain clergy to work under me. My fiance and I were planning on getting married over a year ago, but I kept pushing back the date, uncertain after discovering that he has an abusive streak. One night at a dinner party in my home, my fiance got me very drunk, had me ordain one of his close friends, and we were married. I didn’t even know until the next day when he told me he had filed the paperwork with the courthouse. What do I do? Am I even married? How do I get out of this mess?
Asked on February 17, 2012 under Family Law, Illinois
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Listen, I would consider yourself married for the sake of argment and moe from there to have it set aside, as well as the ordination of the minister. For that you may need to speak with yor church. Arguably you had "diminished capacity" to contract - you were drunk and marriage is a contract - and to ordain as well. But I would not assume that the marriage will fall automatically should the ordination be found not binding. Seek legal help NOW. Good luck.
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