Florida Bigamy and Annulment Issue: Orlando Man Has Two Wives

Written By: Lenorae C. Atter, Attorney
Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

Recently, a Florida man who is married to two women was to not be in violation of Florida bigamy laws. The Orlando man was caught in the marriage triangle by his wife, Heather Bennett in 2010. She and Tait were married in 2000 and he was married to Amy Bennett in 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Due to the second marriage taking place in Nevada, the crime is considered to have happened outside of Florida and therefore, the State of Florida cannot prosecute Tait Bennett for the crime.
Tait Bennett filed for a Florida divorce from Heather Bennett in February of this year. However, they had been separated since 2008, before Heather knew of the second wife. In Florida family law, bigamy actually creates a void marriage to the second wife and is therefore considered annulled. He would have to remarry Amy Bennett to make their marriage official, regardless of Florida criminal laws. Heather Bennett may look into an annulment, but since she was the first wife, divorce may be necessary to effectuate their separation from the nightmare Tait Bennett created for his wives.