remarried

Remarried is an adjective describing someone who has entered a second or subsequent marriage after the end of a previous marriage. The ending can result from divorce, annulment, or the death of a spouse. The term is commonly used in biographical, legal, and social contexts. The related verb is remarry, with remarried serving as the past tense or past participle.

To remarry, a person generally must be legally free to marry. In jurisdictions that prohibit bigamy, remarriage requires that the prior marriage has been dissolved or terminated and that the new marriage has a valid license or ceremony. Laws and customs regarding remarriage vary widely between countries and regions.

Legal and financial implications often accompany remarriage. Remarriage can affect alimony or spousal support, inheritance rights, and eligibility for certain survivor benefits, depending on local law and the terms of prior agreements or wills. It can also influence child custody and support arrangements when children from a previous relationship are involved. In some cases, remarriage may require updating legal documents, such as wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations.

Social and demographic aspects of remarriage vary by culture and era. In many countries, remarriage is a common life event, with trends influenced by age, gender, and socioeconomic factors. Remarried individuals may form stepfamilies, experience changes in naming, and adjust household finances and legal documents to reflect their new family structure.