Trigamy refers to the act of marrying someone while already being married to another person and also being bigamously married to a third person. This implies that the individual has three simultaneous marriages. Trigamy is considered illegal and can lead to criminal charges. In some cases, individuals may argue that their previous marriage was invalid as a defence against a bigamy charge. For instance, if someone marries person A, then marries person B while still being married to person A, and later marries person C after person A has passed away but person B is still alive, the marriage to person C is not considered bigamy because the marriage to person B was already void and bigamous.
Trigamy, also known as trig-uh-mee, refers to the act of marrying someone while already legally married to another person and being bigamously married to a third individual. To illustrate, let’s say a person named D marries A, then marries B while still married to A, and later marries C after A has passed away but B is still alive. In this scenario, the marriage to C is not considered bigamy because the marriage to B was invalid and void. Trigamy occurs when the validity of the alleged prior marriage can be used as a strong defence against a charge of bigamy. In simpler terms, if a person can prove that the alleged prior marriage, which is being used to support the charge of bigamy, was itself void due to an even earlier marriage at the time, then the charge of bigamy can be successfully challenged.
Trigamy refers to the act of being married to three spouses simultaneously.
No, trigamy is not legal in most countries. It is considered a form of polygamy, which is prohibited by law in many jurisdictions.
Engaging in trigamy can lead to various legal consequences, including potential criminal charges, fines, and imprisonment.
In some countries, there may be cultural or religious exceptions that allow for polygamous marriages under certain circumstances. However, these exceptions are limited and subject to specific legal requirements.
In most cases, if a person enters into a trigamous marriage in a country where it is legal, they can still face legal consequences upon returning to a country where trigamy is prohibited. The legality of the marriage is determined by the jurisdiction where the individual resides.
Trigamy specifically refers to being married to three spouses, while bigamy refers to being married to two spouses. Both trigamy and bigamy are generally illegal in most jurisdictions.
In some cases, if a person can prove that they were unaware of their spouse’s existing marriages, they may have a defence against trigamy charges. However, this defence may not be applicable in all jurisdictions.
The consequences for the spouses in a trigamous marriage can vary depending on the jurisdiction. They may face legal challenges in terms of property rights, inheritance, child custody, and other legal matters.
Trigamous marriages are generally not legally recognized in countries where polygamy is prohibited. However, some countries may recognize the marriage for immigration or other limited purposes.
The ability to divorce one spouse while remaining married to others in a trigamous marriage depends on the laws of the jurisdiction. In most cases, divorcing one spouse would likely dissolve the entire trigamous marriage.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
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