Can you marry your brother's wife?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....ng-8-year-affair.html

Yes I know, just another sordid celebrity story, but it got me to thinking, am I right in assuming that a man cannot marry his brother's wife, while his brother is alive?

And what would be the implications if there happened to be children from such an union?

[anotheoldgit]

Got it in one JTH thanks for making a rather complicated issue clear.

I tried to work it out but got my KIAT.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.genetic-ge....uk/Toc115570145.html

Apparently not, one cannot marry his brother's wife while he is still alive, even after divorce.

No.18 in the list.

[craft1948]

Yes you can..............I know of someone who did.

[anotheoldgit]

craft1948

/// You can marry your brother's widow.............this is covered by the 1921 marriage act. ///

Not exactly.

/// The 1921 Marriage Act removed no. 18 (Brother's wife and Sister's husband) provided brother or sister in each case was deceased. ///

[pa___ul3]

aye, read further down that list - number 18 removed in 1921.
2 of my cousins are biologically my half brother and sister because my mum and aunty are identical twins, weird hey!?

[craft1948]

Well someone I knew married his ex-wife's sister.............

[pastafreak]

And even further down >In 1960 the restrictions on the in-law relatives mentioned in tables 26 and 27 were removed. This means they are now free to marry irrespective of whether the former spouse is dead. i.e. It allows divorcees in this category to remarry..<

[hc4361]

There is no requirement for the brother (or sister) to be deceased.
http://www.nofreetime...ly_able_to_marry.aspx

A man may marry his sister-in-law and a woman can marry her brother-in-law.

Other in-laws can marry only if:
They are both at least 21 years old
The family members who created the in-law relationship are both dead

[LoftyLottie]

What a load of old hog wash really. As long as there are no close blood connections then any single people of age should be allowed to marry in my opinion. But not to worry marriage doesn't seem to be important any more.

[hc4361]

Lottie, I strongly disagree.
A step parent who has known his/her step child for most of his or her life, and as acted in loco parentis, should not be allowed to marry the step child.
This is how the law currently stands and it should remain.

[pretty_snowdrop]

You can't marry your brothers wife, but you can marry your brothers ex wife.

[starone]

Looking at things from the woman's point of view, there is no way in this world or any other world I would contemplate any of my brother-in-laws - they were all disgusting/ugly/egoistic/any other thing you can think of. No way!!

[rabbitygirl]

In the early 50s my fathers first wife left him and went off with his brother. Despite an early divorce they were not able to marry until the 60s because, we were told, that is when the law changed allowing such a marriage. They had started their own family and I gather that when they did marry it was no more notified or celebrated that a quick trip to the shops.

[DTCwordfan]

The Deuteronomy and Genesis references (earlier) are also the "obligation" in the Muslim faith...a duty to protect and if necessary, they can marry (and even if it means a 5th wife, beyond the 4 normally permitted).