My husband and I filed for divorce, but about halfway through the process we had sex together. Does that mean we have to start over again?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

My husband and I filed for divorce, but about halfway through the process we had sex together. Does that mean we have to start over again?

Asked on March 22, 2009 under Family Law, Texas

Answers:

S.B.A., Member, California and Texas Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 14 years ago | Contributor

No, you don't have to start all over again, unless you remarried.

A reconciliation should immediately stop a divorce which is in  process (that is because your Petition asking for the divorce has stated that the marriage is insupportable - can not survive - and your behavior regarding reconciliation states otherwise). However, having sex does not mean there has been a reconciliation.

A reconciliation means the parties have begun living together and, therefore, they no longer have irreconcilable differences or find the problems of the marriage insurmountable. By reconciling, they have disproved the basis of the divorce petition, so a divorce should not be granted.

 If a divorce was already granted, the parties are not automatically 'remarried' unless they, again, fulfill the common law definition of marriage, or commit to a marriage ceremony.

Living together, however, should impact on the alimony and child support payments (if s/he is providing for mortgage, rent, food, etc., why should that person also pay for 'support' ?   That is an argument the one paying support can make to the court in order to have support stopped or to get a credit for the months the parties cohabited. However, the divorce was finalized and does not have to be 'redone').

In contrast, having sex does not mean that the reason for filing for a  divorce no longer exists. Whether during the process of divorcing or after a divorce, having sex should not impact any orders or request for court orders.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption