The period one must wait following the finalization of a divorce before being legally permitted to enter into a new marriage varies depending on jurisdiction. This waiting period, often referred to as a cooling-off period, is implemented to allow for emotional recovery, ensure clarity regarding financial and legal matters related to the divorce, and prevent complications such as potential disputes over paternity of a child conceived around the time of the divorce.
Adhering to the prescribed waiting period is crucial for several reasons. It safeguards against accusations of bigamy, which is the act of marrying someone while still legally married to another person, and it establishes clear legal parentage should a pregnancy occur near the time of the divorce. Historically, these waiting periods also served to prevent hasty remarriages driven by emotional reactions to the divorce process and to provide time for reflection and decision-making.