Am I Really Married

[ESEQUIEL]

My question involves a marriage in the state of: Nevada
I would like expert advice. I have been married for over 5 years, recently I have found out that my wifes previous divorce seems not to be final.. In the process of filing for citizenship for my wife I requested divorce decree and she did not have one. We tried to obtain one in person in the state of CA and we were unsuccessfull. They said my wifes first husband never signed the divorce documents, therfore no decree. My wife filed for the divorce but never followed up with it. My question is if we are really married or not, and what are the implecations for both parties.

[Mr. Knowitall]

To be clear, your spouse was divorced (perhaps) in California, and you were married and lived as a couple in Nevada?

[ESEQUIEL]

She was married in California for 10 plus years with her former husband. I was under the impression she was divorced. We were married in Las Vegas, now it seems that I might not be married as she was not divorced when we got married. Can you help clarify this for me? I am not resident of Nevada, we live in Texas.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If she was still married when she married you, then your marriage was void from its inception. If she was divorced, then she was able to remarry.

If she divorced after your Nevada marriage, depending on the amount of time that has passed and what has occurred in Texas, it's possible that you have a valid common law marriage under Texas law.

[ESEQUIEL]

Are there any laws broken by marrying someone while they are still married to someone else? I feel I have been used. I see now that this may have been done in an effort to gain citizenship by her part. Is there anything that can be done to void the marraige?