After my divorce, how long do I have to wait before remarrying?

If you are thinking of getting married soon after a divorce, there are a few things you may want to consider. While Rhode Island laws are fairly flexible regarding remarriage after divorce, the “right” time to remarry will likely depend on your personal and financial circumstances. 

Factors That Can Affect the Timeline of Remarriage After Divorce

It is common for one or even both spouses to get remarried after a divorce. Recent studies suggest that over 60% of people who get a divorce will get married once again at some point in their lives, and roughly half of all divorced people will remarry within five years of a divorce. However, you may want to wait a little longer to remarry if:

The divorce is not yet “official.”

Uncontested divorces do not become final on the day they are granted. There is a mandatory waiting period that can last up to 90 days after the date of the first hearing, but some divorces may be granted sooner if they qualify for expedited processing. You should check with the judge or your divorce attorney to find out the exact date you will be legally divorced.

You are getting married in another state.

Unlike other states, Rhode Island does not impose an additional waiting period before remarriage to a new spouse once a divorce is final. However, if you were divorced in Rhode Island and you want to marry someone in another state, you should check that state’s laws regarding waiting times.

You want to continue receiving alimony.

You should know that your ex-spouse does not have to continue paying alimony once you are remarried. If your ex-spouse’s support payments are allowing you to go back to school, undergo job retraining, or otherwise become self-sufficient, you may wish to postpone remarriage.

Do You Need To Speak To A Rhode Island Family Law Attorney?

If you are considering a divorce you need to speak with an experienced Rhode Island family law attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Warwick office directly at 401.946.3200 to schedule your free consultation. We help divorce clients in Providence, Warwick and all areas of Rhode Island.