We have all done things we regret in life. For some, it might be something like a bad haircut, for others, it is eloping to Las Vegas (or anywhere else for that matter!)
While it might have seemed romantic at the time to have your wedding officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator before trying your luck at the slots, you might now find yourself in the sobering position of regretting your marriage.
People can get swept up in the romance and elope for, for example a quick a Las Vegas wedding, only to be left unsure of their legal position once the honeymoon phase is over and the relationship was no longer working.
It might feel embarrassing to have embarked on such a big life change and then come to regret it, but we would not want you to either be stuck in a failed relationship or place your assets at risk.
This decision does not need to define your life, so let us work through it together. Let’s use Las Vegas as the example but of course this can happen in other countries and if the marriage hasn’t worked out then seeking legal advice urgently is the best course of action.
Is a Las Vegas wedding legally binding in England and Wales?
For the most part, it probably is.
Any marriage that is conducted within the bounds of the law of the country in which it is conducted is legally valid in England and Wales.
As Las Vegas has a cottage industry of quick and easy weddings, there is a high likelihood that your marriage will be valid once you have returned home.
It would not hurt to double-check the venue and the wedding certificate to ascertain the validity of the marriage, as if there were issues with the wedding itself, then you may not be married.
We have 170 offices around the world as part of Mackrell International, and one of them is in Nevada. We can, therefore, gain a greater understanding of the different implementations of laws around the world, particularly how they apply to marriages.
If you are struggling to secure information about the venue or the legitimacy of the marriage, then we can use our connections to help you.
For those whose marriages are valid, some steps can be taken to resolve the situation.
What can be done to get out of a Las Vegas marriage?
As with all ill-fated marriages, it is worth considering whether you qualify for an annulment. The ability to annul can be in England and Wales if that is where you live or in the country where the marriage took place. It is worth looking at both options.
An annulment may be granted if any of the following reasons apply to your marriage:
- It was not consummated and was a different sex marriage.
- You did not properly consent to the marriage
- The other person had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) when you got married
- Your spouse was pregnant by someone else when you got married
- One spouse is in the process of transitioning to a different gender.
This is coupled with the position that some marriages are inherently void, which is true if:
- You’re closely related to the person you married
- One or both of you were under 18
- One of you was already married or in a civil partnership.
There is no strict time limit on annulling a marriage but leaving it too long will raise questions with the court.
If none of the annulment or voiding criteria apply to your circumstances, then the only recourse is to file for a divorce.
Divorcing after a US marriage in England and Wales
Fortunately, the divorce can be conducted under the court system in England and Wales, but having a copy of your wedding certificate is necessary for the process.
If you left the wedding certificate in Vegas, then it would be necessary to reach out to the local authorities to acquire a new copy.
Remember, you cannot get divorced until a year has passed, and your relationship must have permanently broken down.
Seeking professional legal advice is always wise before embarking on a divorce so that you can understand the rights and responsibilities you have during the process.
We at Mackrell work closely with the Mackrell International teams around the world so that we can offer you tailored advice for your specific circumstances.
The best part is that you only need to speak to our team in England, and we will handle the international aspect for you from start to finish.
Most Mackrell International members are in the top 10 per cent of their country’s law firms with a proven track record, so you can rest assured that our team has your best interests in mind just as much as our domestic one.
We will work alongside you to help protect your assets to prevent the marriage from becoming a truly costly mistake.
Let Mackrell and Mackrell International guide you back to safety.
To find out more about our international family law services, please speak to our team today.
