I am new to this so I may not have posted this properly. Thanks for bearing with me. I recently married about a year ago to a guy I've been dating a few years. We live in a small island which has a legal system similar to California. A lawyer once described it as California law 20 years ago.
The term "wife" here is used freely to honor a long term relationship or a couple that lives together. Common Law has not been recognized here for years but the terms commonlaw/wife is more a term of respect to a long term relationship. My husband stated he had a wife/ common law in the past, but when we married and applied for the licence, he did not inform the clerk (which he also swore/oath) that he was previously married (I submitted mine). I figured because he was using the "wife" term loosley for his past relationships. Turns out he was indeed legally married! He said he didn't want to bother with the red tape in getting his divorce papers since the legal marriage was over 10 years ago! It matters now more so than ever because I am about to hand him the divorce papers for other reasons. Since he knowingly made a false statement under Oath, are we truly married?
Thanks

