Civil Marriage

[typea11]

My daughter is dating a non Catholic that was previously married by a Justice of the Peace and then was divorced in a civil court. If her relationship grows to the point where marriage becomes a likeihood, will her boyfriend have to have his civil marriage anulled?

 

[Cristiano]

I would check this out before marriage,as you say, becomes a possibility. Dating is to discern about marriage. Why a person would discern marriage with someone if the individual cannot be married.

If she gets so close to the person that she wants to marry him, what do you think it will happen when she will be told that she cannot marry him?

You are asking the right question at the right time. Talk to a priest. A lot of details are needed to make an assessment.

 

[1ke]

My daughter is dating a non Catholic that was previously married by a Justice of the Peace and then was divorced in a civil court. If her relationship grows to the point where marriage becomes a likeihood, will her boyfriend have to have his civil marriage anulled?

Yes, he would have to have a tribunal investigation of his marriage to determine it’s validity.

It may very well be found to be valid-- do not assume that a decree of nullity is a done-deal or a formality.

This should be discussed way before they are serious enough to discern marriage-- he is currently a married man and she should not even be dating him at all! His prior marriage needs to be investigated before they become serious.

What heartache your daughter is in store for if they become engaged and then his marriage is found to be valid.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

My daughter is dating a non Catholic that was previously married by a Justice of the Peace and then was divorced in a civil court. If her relationship grows to the point where marriage becomes a likeihood, will her boyfriend have to have his civil marriage anulled?

Yes, he will have to have his civil Marriage looked at to determine if it is invalid or not.