Must we Marry Twice?

by *Kwadwo A. Opoku, Esq.

A bribery scandal has rocked the New York Supreme Court, Matrimonial Division, in Manhattan. In September, the Chief Clerk of the Matrimonial Division of the Court pleaded guilty to accepting bribes ranging from as little as $10.00 to $150.00 per application to expedite uncontested divorce applications without thorough examination. This "divorce mill," which began in 1992, involved about 20 lawyers and court officials.

Tens of thousands of dollars changed hands, and hundreds of divorce applications may have been tainted.

There is the credible concern that some of the divorce applications might have been approved with the forged signatures of spouses and judges. Consequently, some individuals who believe to be divorced may still be married to the spouses they were supposed to have divorced. As a result of these fraudulent divorces, some people are unwitting and inadvertent bigamists, that is, people who believe that they are divorced and re-marry but are actually not divorced have committed bigamy. A bigamist may have to annul his/her current marriage, get proper divorce from the spouse he/she was supposed to have divorced and then re-marry the current spouse. 
Spouses who filed for uncontested divorces in Manhattan in the 1990's and have any doubt or concern about their marital status or the status of their divorce should consult with their attorney or with the New York State Supreme Court, Matrimonial Division, in Manhattan.

Note: The information presented here is general in nature and by no means a substitute for advice by a Lawyer. Readers are advised to consult with a lawyer for their particular case.

*Kwadwo A. Opoku, Esq. is a New-York-based attorney whose law firm is located at: 875 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 500, New York, New York 10001.

Tel. #: 212-967-8270/8273