How Long Do I Have to Wait to Get Married Again After I Am Divorced?
Posted by Ramos Law Group, PLLC | Divorce
While divorce may be the end of a marriage, it can also be seen as a new beginning that opens the door to a bright future. Many newly divorced people find themselves ready to embark on a new relationship or are ready to make an existing relationship official. Companionship is important when the time is right. Of course, if things progress to the point that you are discussing long-term plans with your significant other, your conversation could turn to marriage and the inevitable question: How long do I have to wait to get married again after I am divorced?
The answer is complicated depending on whether you seek a response for purposes of your legal, financial, emotional, or other interests. You could be ready in some respects, but balance is crucial. Though you should trust a knowledgeable Texas divorce lawyer to explain how the laws apply to remarriage, some other factors are worthy of consideration.
Texas Divorce Laws and Legal Issues Regarding Remarriage:
For any marriage to be valid in the eyes of the law, the couple must apply for and be granted a marriage license; in order to obtain the license, you and your betrothed must have the proper legal status to enter into the marriage. In other words, you must both be single or had a previous marriage dissolved by a family law court.
If you were recently divorced, keep in mind that in Texas you must wait at least 30 days after the divorce was finalized before you can obtain a marriage license. When going to apply for your marriage license, you should bring a copy of the divorce decree with you to verify your status. In addition, you should note the following legal issues when considering how long to wait to get married again:
- Once you receive your marriage license, there is another time restriction to bear in mind after the 30-day waiting period after divorce. You must wait 72 hours after getting your license before you can conduct the ceremony. The 72-hour waiting period can be waived for active-duty members of the military.
- Despite the 30-day wait after your divorce is finalized, there may be additional reasons to delay your wedding. To avoid complications, you should make sure you and your ex have transferred title to real estate and/or personal property that was divided in a just and right manner in the divorce process.
- Another circumstance to consider is if you are receiving post-divorce maintenance or spousal support. Spousal support or contractual alimony often terminate when you remarry or cohabitate with another individual as a married couple. This point is not intended to encourage misconduct with post-divorce maintenance, but if the court awarded it for educational purposes or to enhance employability, you may want to take advantage of the funds toward becoming self-sufficient.
Other Considerations on Getting Married After Divorce:
Even if you are able to legally remarry because your divorce was finalized more than 30 days ago, there are some other factors to keep in mind before going forward:
- If you have minor children from a previous marriage, you want to make sure they are emotionally ready for you to remarry. Especially if your divorce was very recent, your kids might not be prepared for another family member to enter the picture.
- Your children are obviously important, but you should also assess whether you are emotionally ready to get married again. If there was abuse involved with your prior relationship, you may need time to heal. You might consider meeting with a medical professional or other counselor who can help you evaluate your personal needs.
- If you were not on your own before your previous marriage, you may need time to be independent before remarrying. This is particularly true for individuals who want to become self-sufficient through employment opportunities.
- After deciding to go forward with remarriage, you might consider a premarital agreement. Having gone through divorce in the past, you should certainly understand the value and importance of executing the necessary documentation to protect your assets in the case of a future divorce.
Trust a Texas Divorce Attorney to Advise You on Remarriage
As you can see from this overview, there are numerous considerations when you are thinking about tying the knot again after divorce. Plus, if you do decide to go forward with remarriage, it is important to understand your options regarding a premarital agreement. For additional information about the legal requirements and other considerations, please contact The Ramos Law Group, PLLC. We can set up a consultation to review your circumstances and answer additional questions about getting married after divorce.