# To Be Or Not To Be a Bigamist **URL:** \ **Category:** Divorce and Separation Answers\ **Created:** [August 29, 2005, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-bigamist/2410 "2005-08-29T15:24:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kperry1054](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@kperry1054](https://forum.rosen.com/u/kperry1054)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-bigamist/2410/1 "2005-08-29T15:24:19Z")
Hi, I do know that according to other post on the website if you decide to get married even though you are not divorced, it is criminal activity and not to mention that your marriage to the 2nd person will not be valid. ---
**Author:** ![iwannaknow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/47e85d/32.png) [@iwannaknow](https://forum.rosen.com/u/iwannaknow)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 1:05pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-bigamist/2410/2 "2005-08-31T13:05:25Z")
Thanks, that’s what I needed to know. > quote: > * * * > _Originally posted by kperry1054_ > Hi, I do know that according to other post on the website if you decide to get married even though you are not divorced, it is criminal activity and not to mention that your marriage to the 2nd person will not be valid. > * * * ---
**Author:** ![dthrom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b3f665/32.png) [@dthrom](https://forum.rosen.com/u/dthrom)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:39pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-bigamist/2410/3 "2005-09-01T12:39:23Z")
> quote: > * * * > _Originally posted by iwannaknow_ > There has been no action on the divorce my husband filed over a year ago. It could take years & years before the divorce is granted or may not ever be granted. My life is in limbo. I've met someone else and we want to get married. What could happen if I knowingly commit bigamy and marry someone else? > * * * I do not know what jurisdiction you are in, but here in NC, either of you can seek divorce after a year of separation. If you have been waiting for something to happen, first check in with the clerk at the court you think he filed the action in and ask for the status of the divorce, asking particularly, what needs to happen before the divorce will be granted? Most clerks shy away from answering questions like that and may say, go ask an attorney. They are not supposed to give legal advice. So, if that doesn’t help, go review your file in person at the clerk ---
**Author:** ![iwannaknow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/47e85d/32.png) [@iwannaknow](https://forum.rosen.com/u/iwannaknow)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 10:17am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-bigamist/2410/4 "2005-09-07T10:17:40Z")
Thank you for your response. I live in TX and my husband filed for divorce in NC. I have contacted the court clerk’s office numerous times, but they will not give me any specifics - I keep getting the same response of “the divorce is still pending”. Since I do not reside in NC, it will be difficult for me to review my file in person. TX attorney’s are not very much help because they are not familiar with NC law and the attorney I hired in NC was not doing anything for me; therefore, I terminated his services. Can I file for divorce in Texas while I have a case pending in NC? > quote: > * * * > _Originally posted by dthrom_ > > > quote: > > * * * > > _Originally posted by iwannaknow_ > > There has been no action on the divorce my husband filed over a year ago. It could take years & years before the divorce is granted or may not ever be granted. My life is in limbo. I've met someone else and we want to get married. What could happen if I knowingly commit bigamy and marry someone else? > > * * * > > I do not know what jurisdiction you are in, but here in NC, either of you can seek divorce after a year of separation. If you have been waiting for something to happen, first check in with the clerk at the court you think he filed the action in and ask for the status of the divorce, asking particularly, what needs to happen before the divorce will be granted? Most clerks shy away from answering questions like that and may say, go ask an attorney. They are not supposed to give legal advice. So, if that doesn’t help, go review your file in person at the clerk ---
**Author:** ![JanetFritts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@JanetFritts](https://forum.rosen.com/u/JanetFritts)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-bigamist/2410/5 "2005-09-18T17:19:46Z")
Dear iwannaknow: This is going to be harsh, so beware - This is the **LAZIEST** \ **THING I HAVE EVER HEARD!!!** \You have to be kidding me. Hire an attorney for $500 and get your divorce finalized here in NC (it may even cost less if your spouse already filed). Bigamy is a crime and to knowingly do it would negate any and all benefits from the marriage you are looking to enter. If you have children, they will be bastards, etc. That is just crazy. Stop being lazy and take the right action to get your situation straight. Thank you. Janet L. Fritts Attorney with Rosen Law Firm 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500 Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 919.787.6668 main phone 919.256.1665 direct fax 10925 David Taylor Drive, Suite 100 Charlotte, North Carolina 28262 704.644.2831 main voice 704.307.4595 main fax 1829 East Franklin Street, Bldg 600 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919.321.0780 main phone 919.787.6668 main fax > **[North Carolina Divorce Law - Legal Answers and Info](https://www.rosen.com/)** > > The best resource for divorce in NC. Find accurate, legal, family law advice from attorneys practicing in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service but a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. ---
**Author:** ![iwannaknow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/47e85d/32.png) [@iwannaknow](https://forum.rosen.com/u/iwannaknow)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-bigamist/2410/6 "2005-09-20T13:40:46Z")
Your candor is respected, but laziness is not the issue; it’s a matter of being unfamiliar with NC divorce laws associated with very limited finances. It appears the laziness is on my husband’s end; afterall, he and his attorney are the ones who initiated this whole process and dropped the proverbial ball. I will conduct a search for an attorney who is willing to assist me in finalizing my divorce for a minimal fee. Thank you for your response. > quote: > * * * > _Originally posted by JanetFritts_ > Dear iwannaknow: > > This is going to be harsh, so beware - This is the **LAZIEST** \ **THING I HAVE EVER HEARD!!!** \You have to be kidding me. Hire an attorney for $500 and get your divorce finalized here in NC (it may even cost less if your spouse already filed). Bigamy is a crime and to knowingly do it would negate any and all benefits from the marriage you are looking to enter. If you have children, they will be bastards, etc. That is just crazy. Stop being lazy and take the right action to get your situation straight. Thank you. > > Janet L. Fritts > Attorney with Rosen Law Firm > > 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500 > Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 > 919.787.6668 main phone > 919.256.1665 direct fax > > 10925 David Taylor Drive, Suite 100 > Charlotte, North Carolina 28262 > 704.644.2831 main voice > 704.307.4595 main fax > > 1829 East Franklin Street, Bldg 600 > Chapel Hill, NC 27514 > 919.321.0780 main phone > 919.787.6668 main fax > > > **[North Carolina Divorce Law - Legal Answers and Info](https://www.rosen.com/)** > > > > The best resource for divorce in NC. Find accurate, legal, family law advice from attorneys practicing in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. > > The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service but a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. > > * * * inquiring ---
**Author:** ![Lisa\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@Lisa\_Angel](https://forum.rosen.com/u/Lisa_Angel)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2005, 7:02am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-bigamist/2410/7 "2005-09-21T07:02:53Z")
Bigamy is a crime in NC, and your new marriage would not be valid under NC law. It will not take years for a divorce to be granted in NC. A divorce will be granted by a court after parties have been separated for a year. It may take longer to finish property distribution, but regardless the divorce can be granted now if you have been separated for a year. Lisa M. Angel Board Certified Family Law Specialist The Rosen Law Firm 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500 Raleigh, NC 27607 (919) 781-1741 direct voice (919) 256-1660 direct fax (919) 787-6668 main voice (919) 787-6361 main fax [NCdivorce.com](http://www.NCdivorce.com) email: [angel@rosen.com](mailto:angel@rosen.com) The response posted above is based upon the limited factual information made available and is not intended as a full and complete response to the question. The only reliable manner to obtain complete and adequate legal advice is to consult with an attorney, fully explain your situation, and allow the attorney sufficient opportunity to research the applicable law and facts required to render an accurate opinion. The basic information provided above is intended as a public service but a full discussion with an attorney should be undertaken before taking any action. ---
**Author:** ![iwannaknow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/47e85d/32.png) [@iwannaknow](https://forum.rosen.com/u/iwannaknow)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 8:52am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/to-be-or-not-to-be-a-bigamist/2410/8 "2005-08-29T08:52:02Z")
There has been no action on the divorce my husband filed over a year ago. It could take years & years before the divorce is granted or may not ever be granted. My life is in limbo. I’ve met someone else and we want to get married. What could happen if I knowingly commit bigamy and marry someone else?