Question:
How did the Texas court in Nguyen v. Nguyen treat the legal weight of a more recent marriage when compared to an older one?
Answer:
The court in Nguyen v. Nguyen, 355 S.W.3d 82 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2011, pet. denied), held that the more recent marriage carries a presumption of validity that is not easily shaken. Even when someone points to an earlier marriage, the more recent one does not collapse under the weight of mere allegation. Instead, the challenger must bring forward clear and convincing proof that the earlier marriage not only happened but also remained valid and undissolved when the newer union began. Over time, this presumption of validity grows roots. Public conduct—like living together, calling each other husband and wife, raising children—nurtures that growth. The law leans toward stability and legitimacy. Without hard proof, the older marriage won’t rise from the past to undo what the present has built.
References: Reasoning in Nguyen v. Nguyen, 355 S.W.3d 82, especially the court’s emphasis on public policy favoring the legitimacy of the current marriage.