Remarrying Your Ex - Or Should You Do This Instead Sometimes couples who divorce decide to get back together again. They may even wish to remarry for a variety of reasons, including having children together, religious or traditional views, taxes, or handling property and bills. Do they just get married again, like they did the first time? Yes, they can certainly do that.

A reunited couple can get married again, either by a religious or civil ceremony. They can spend money for another wedding of any size and amount. Pledging their wedding vows again may be very important to them.

Another option is elopement. Elopement can be as spur of the moment as a couple wishes. It is easier than planning a wedding. It can also be a cheaper option, or as extravagant as the couple wishes.

There is another option, which is to annul the divorce. Yes, you read that correctly. Annul the divorce.

What is a divorce annulment?

To compare and contrast the idea, some marriages are annulled. One case of an annulment which may be familiar to many is Britney Spears' first marriage. Apparently Britney and her new husband realized their hasty wedding was a mistake almost immediately. The marriage was annulled, so it is like they were never married. It never happened. They got a “do-over.”

A divorce annulment is the same principle, but for the opposite goal. A couple who has been granted a divorce annulment is legally married. It is as if they were never divorced.

If interested in more information, check with an attorney on local procedure for filing and obtaining a divorce annulment. In this area in Kentucky, an agreed motion is filed with the clerk of the court where the divorce was granted. This motion includes facts of the timeline - when and where the parties were married, and divorced. It also sets out the parties' agreement that they want the divorce annulled, and wish to be restored to the status of married persons. It is signed by both parties with their signatures notarized.

Since the couple is in agreement, a hearing may not even be necessary. If no hearing is required, the agreed motion is filed with a tendered order. The clerk locates the divorce file, and gives the file along with the motion and order to the judge for his consideration and signature.When the order is signed and entered into the court record, the couple is officially married. Each of them is restored to the status of a married person. It is as if the divorce never occurred.

It is rather interesting when you think about it; technically I suppose we shouldn’t call this current status a remarriage, or even married again. They have simply been married the whole time. Allowed "do-overs” are nice.

Depending upon individual circumstances, it may be necessary to provide a copy of the order to agencies or companies as proof of the annulment. For example, if the couple filed their taxes separately the year before, they may need to furnish proof to the IRS. Reestablishing marital property may be another reason.Thus, couples have a few preferences and options to consider when making their reunion legal.

As mentioned above, restating vows may be very important to some couples. On the other hand, annulment of a divorce can be pretty special too, particularly for couples only married once. It means they are still bound by their one, and only, marriage partner. The divorce is erased, so it’s true. It affects statistics as well – children of such a couple can state their parents are still married. That’s quite an accomplishment these days.

Laura McDonald is a paralegal. She is a member of NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations). Laura is experienced in the areas of personal injury, civil litigation, family, environmental and corporate law, estate planning and bankruptcy. She works for Michael L. Hawkins & Associates, P.L.L.C., located in Frankfort, Kentucky. The firm's website is http://www.mlhlawky.com