When going through a divorce, there are many factors to consider. One of these is the possibility that incest or bigamy might be an issue in your case. In a divorce case, the legal implications of incest or bigamy can be severe. In most states, incest and bigamy are considered felonies and can result in prison time and hefty fines. Furthermore, if the marriage is found to be invalid due to either of these two offenses, then any assets or debts acquired during the marriage may not be divided between the spouses. These are sensitive topics that require careful consideration when assessing how they might affect your divorce case. Here is a basic overview of what you need to know.
Incest refers to sexual relationships between close family members, such as between siblings, parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren. In most cases, incest is illegal and considered taboo in society and carries serious consequences if discovered during a divorce proceeding.
Bigamy is the act of marrying someone while still legally married to another person. This is illegal in most states and can have serious legal consequences. Bigamy can occur when one spouse mistakenly believes that their previous marriage has been dissolved or when they intentionally deceive their current spouse about their marital status.
If your spouse has committed bigamy, it can have a significant impact on your divorce case. In most cases, bigamy is considered a form of fraud and can be grounds for an annulment or divorce. This may affect the division of marital assets, child custody arrangements, and spousal support. If one spouse was unaware that their partner was already married or related to them when they entered into the marriage, they may be able to seek an annulment instead of a divorce. An annulment would declare the marriage void from its inception and would not require any division of assets or debts.
If your spouse is currently married to another person, you may be unable to obtain a divorce until the previous marriage has been legally dissolved. This can be a complex and time-consuming process, and it’s important to consult with an attorney who can help you navigate the legal system.
If there are children involved in an incestuous or bigamous relationship, the court will consider their best interests when making decisions about custody arrangements. The court may take into account any potential harm that could come to the child as a result of having parents who were involved in such a relationship.
What Should You Do if Incest or Bigamy is Involved in Your Divorce Case?
If you believe that incest or bigamy may affect your divorce case there are steps you can take to protect yourself legally and emotionally throughout the process. First and foremost, it is important to consult with an experienced family law attorney who specializes in handling cases involving such matters so that you understand all of your rights under applicable state laws regarding these issues. Additionally, seeking out counseling services from a qualified mental health professional may help you cope with any emotional distress caused by discovering such information about your former partner during the proceedings. It is also important to remember that while discovering evidence of incest or bigamy may have significant implications for your divorce case legally speaking, it does not necessarily mean that you will not receive a fair settlement from your former partner. Each situation is unique and must be assessed on its own merits before any decisions are made about how best to proceed with regards to settling any disputes arising out of such matters during a divorce proceeding.
Overall, it is important for divorcing couples to understand that incest and bigamy can have serious legal implications in a divorce, even a fast uncontested divorce. It is essential for both parties to seek legal advice before proceeding with any type of marital dissolution process.