[wygepres]

I went to court on November 29, 1993 and I thought I was divorced as the agreement was in place and the judge said everything was fine. I got remarried on November 30, 1993 thinking I was officially divorced. I have recently learned that since the divorce papers were filed (and stamped) December 1, 1993 that I may not be legally married.

I am still with (hopefully legally married) to the person I thought/think I married on November 30, 1993. This all occurred in South Carolina.

What do I need to do? For the last 10+ years we have been living as husband and wife my wife taking my last name and using it for all legal documents.

I am afraid of the can of worms I will open if we pursue this to a conclusion.

WYGEPRES

[M. Giordano]

As per: State Laws on Validity of Marriages:

"Where parties contract a bigamous marriage in good faith and both parties believe they are married, a valid common-law marriage arises if they cohabit as husband and wife after removal of the impediment. However, if either party knew of the impediment, a new agreement of marriage after removal of the impediment, followed by cohabitation as husband and wife, is required to establish a common-law marriage."

THIS SEEMS TO SUGGEST THAT YOU HAVE A VALID COMMON LAW MARRIAGE. However, I recommend spending the few hundred dollars necessary to consult with a licensed SC attorney to verify this. Check with the SC Bar Association for a referral.

Congratulations on your 10 plus years of happy marriage.