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[KARENA]

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FOR CERTAIN REASONS I NEED THE LEGAL RIGHTS THAT COME FROM A CIVAL CEREMONY, AND THE PERSON I WISH TO MARRY AND I WERE COMMITTED TO LIVING INCOMPLETE CONTINENCE, WHILE PURSUING AN ANNULMENT, WOULD IT GO AGAINST GETTING ONE GRANTED IF WE WERE MARRIED IN A CIVAL CEREMONY? IF THE ANNULMENT WAS GRANTED, THEN WE WOULD MARRY IN THE CHURCH.  FOR CERTAIN LEGAL REASONS I NEED TO CHANGE MY NAME TO HIS.  I ALSO AM AWARE NOT ALL ANULLMENTS ARE GRANTED AND THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE A PERMANENT WAY OF LIFE.  IS THERE ANY OTHER REASON WHY A PERSON WOULD NOT NEED AN ANNULMENT OTHER THAN ONE OR BOTH PARTNERS WERE NOT BAPTIZED BEFORE THEIR MARRIAGE?   

[E James]

Hi Karena:
"FOR CERTAIN LEGAL REASONS I NEED TO CHANGE MY NAME TO HIS"
I'm curious: do you mean that you need to change your name or is it that you need to be married-civil or other?  A name change can be done in court, but I'm having a difficult time seeing any legal benefits.

[Terence IRL]

I can't answer the 'legal' question as I am not an American Lawyer. However as a Canon lawyer, I will answer your second question.

On a previous post, I have already explained and detailed the unfortunate circumstances in which you are in. The Church does not approve of couples 'living together' even as brother and sister, since the appearance given is that of co-habitation, and this gives rise to public scandal - which is a sin. To compound matters, because one party is currently married, even though you say you will live in continence, still remains an act of Adultery. This may cause problems with the Tribunal, as it would be seen as an abuse of the Tribunal.

Should the Tribunal overlook the current situation and grant a Declaration of Nullity - both parties would still be required to live apart before being allowed to enter into the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Now would be a good time to do that, so as to at least prove to Christ, that you are willing to accept His teachings - and not abuse them. You may well succeed in fooling the Tribunal, but you will not fool God.