Planning to be in the KLAQ Mega Marriage? Before proposing or accepting a proposal, be sure your partner isn't already married.  Bigamy is illegal in Texas ... usually.

Bigamy is the term for having more than one spouse and it is illegal in every one of the United States of America. It's a criminal offense in Texas but it happens and is, sometimes, ok.

Well, "ok" may not be the right way to put it but someone caught doing it in Texas can avoid being convicted of it. Which, they better ... the penalty for it is no joke.

A conviction for Bigamy is punished by default as a Felony of the Third Degree,[4] with a maximum possible fine under Texas state law of up to $10,000 and prison time of up to 10 years.

However, if the person you married is 17, then a conviction for Bigamy in Texas is punished as a Felony of the Second Degree,[5] with a maximum possible fine under Texas state law of up to $10,000 and prison time of up to 20 years.

And if the person you married is 16 years old or younger, then a conviction for Bigamy in Texas is punished as a Felony of the First Degree,[6] with a maximum possible fine under Texas state law of up to $10,000 and life in prison. - saputo.law

Basically, bigamy can get you in just as much, (if not more), trouble than murder, rape or other violent crimes. So, when/how is this ok?

When Is Bigamy Allowed?

It isn't really "allowed" but here is how you can avoid the wrath of the state if you get caught doing it. You won't be convicted IF ...

You had, (reasonable), cause to believe you were no longer married. Say you went through a divorce or some other legal proceeding but it was never filed. Held up on some technicality or something.  Polygamy can be a choice of course - maybe you or your bae don't care about bae #2. However ...

What About Marital Rights?

There may be peace in the family but the second marriage is not legal and, upon its end, spouse #2 gets nada. No alimony, marital property, retirement benefits, health insurance, the dog, nothing. No rights, typically guaranteed by marriage, at all.

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan Lies In Repose At Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
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Unless the first spouse dies and the other two peeps are already living together and have gotten/say they're married. (This one only works in Texas.) Texas, by the way, also says you can be married even if you don't want to be.

Upon the death of the first spouse, marriage #2 is automatically converted to a "common law" marriage ... which is easy to get into accidentally, by the way ... and the (happy?) couple enjoy all marriage rights.

Until they marry somebody else ...

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