§ 15-1-5. Bigamous marriages void — Marriage of persons who are mentally incompetent.
A person is prohibited from marrying if such person is:
(1) A party to another marriage; or
(2) A party to a relationship that provides substantially the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as a marriage whether entered into in this state or another state or jurisdiction and such marriage or relationship has not been finally dissolved, unless the parties to the intended marriage will be the same as the parties to such other marriage or relationship. Any marriage entered in violation of this prohibition and any marriage where either of the parties is mentally incompetent at the time of the marriage, shall be absolutely void, and no life estate created by chapter 25 of title 33 shall be assigned to any surviving spouse in consequence of the marriage.
History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 191, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 243, § 5; G.L. 1923, ch. 287, § 5; P.L. 1927, ch. 1066, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 415, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 15-1-5; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 19; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 19; P.L. 2013, ch. 4, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 5, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 15-1 - Persons Eligible to Marry
Section 15-1-1. - Equal access to marriage.
Section 15-1-2. - Marrying kindred forbidden.
Section 15-1-3. - Incestuous marriages void.
Section 15-1-4. - Marriages of kindred allowed by Jewish religion.
Section 15-1-5. - Bigamous marriages void — Marriage of persons who are mentally incompetent.
Section 15-1-6. - Declaration of validity of marriage by divorced person.
Section 15-1-7. - Marriage codification.
Section 15-1-8. - Recognition of relationships entered into in another state or jurisdiction.
Section 15-1-9. - Applicability of state laws to marriages not recognized by federal law.