Divorce Advice for Men | Fathers Rights Divorce | Child Custody

Question:

I would like to know if I'm legally married. A while ago my ex-girlfriend and I participated in a nude "wedding" to win a free trip. She was still legally married at the time.

We lived together for many years as a couple but never had children, filed taxes as a married couple, shared insurance, or had an "official" ceremony. She has since left me and I have met a new woman that I wish to marry.

But in the eyes of the law, am I legally married to my ex? Was it a common law marriage?

Among the Ask a Divorce Lawyer questions answered today by Cordell & Cordell attorneys:

• If a marriage is declared void, will that have an affect on my adoption of her child?
• My wife signed over custody of our kids by a letter that was signed in front of a notary. Is this a legal binding agreement?
• Is my Ph.D. marital property that my wife has a claim to, and how will this affect spousal support? How will the value of this degree be determined?  
• I'm in the military and deployed in another state from where I live. Where should I file for divorce?

Among the Ask a Divorce Lawyer questions answered today by Cordell & Cordell attorneys:

• If I never turned in our marriage certificate to the clerk, am I still legally married?
• I've been making the mortgage payments during the divorce process so is the home mine during this time?
• Can I request the kids be taken out of daycare if they're old enough? Why do I pay for that and child support?
• Do I have to pay half of our child's counseling fees if there is no court order and my ex set it up without input from me?
• My child's mother is moving states and leaving my child to live with a friend. I'll still be paying child support. Shouldn't she have to pay as well since she's leaving the child or can I have more obligation reduced?
• My ex has a court order to refinance the mortgage, but has already been denied once. What happens if she can't refinance?
• My ex is paid off but I still owe the state a lot of money, the majority of which is surcharges that will keep piling up. Do I have any options?