Is this allowed?

frilly_knickers

My sister and her second husband have a problem brewing in the family.

They have been married for just over six years, she has a daughter of 22, and he has two sons of 24 and 26. The problem is that her daughter and the eldest son have become romantically involved, my sister and her husband were a little surprised at the announcement, but once they became used to the idea were very happy.

They have now announced that they are expecting a baby in March and want to marry. Someone has told them that they can't because they are step brother and sister, we have tried to Google for information, but there is reams of facts to wade through.

Does anyone know if this is allowed, my sister is becoming a little nervous now that they may be breaking the law.

Okydoky25

It's completely legal

BitterAndTwisted

That is rubbish! The couple are not related by blood, so there can be no impediment to their getting married.

lushlifesaver

From what I understand it's not legally impeded for them to marry.
That's on the basis that they are not blood relations and due to being step-siblings/both from previous relationships of either parents then they are relatives by the third degree.

All that said; people may struggle to come round to their idea (other than their parents) depending on at what age they became siblings. That is however more psychologically than anything really which is just a case of people who have known them as 'brother and sister' finding it all a bit odd/hard to get their heads round.


Note: I am not a legal professional and my understanding is based on facts/legal knowledge I have gathered during my masters so should never be taken as 100% accurate

frilly_knickers

Thank you, you know what some people are like they just like to scare people, they will be delighted.

frilly_knickers

lushlifesaver wrote: »

From what I understand it's not legally impeded for them to marry.
That's on the basis that they are not blood relations and due to being step-siblings/both from previous relationships of either parents then they are relatives by the third degree.

All that said; people may struggle to come round to their idea (other than their parents) depending on at what age they became siblings. That is however more psychologically than anything really which is just a case of people who have known them as 'brother and sister' finding it all a bit odd/hard to get their heads round.


Note: I am not a legal professional and my understanding is based on facts/legal knowledge I have gathered during my masters so should never be taken as 100% accurate

I can see where that may come from, as they have lived as brother and sister for at least four years until their relationship began, I think that is what was bothering my sister.

daisiegg

I just googled and it looks like the law is pretty vague. http://www.weddingguideuk.com/prohibited-marriages/ this website seems to say that a woman can't marry her step-brother (though it doesn't say a man can't marry his step-sister?!) but it does say that step-siblings can't marry if they ever lived in the same household while under the age of 18. I don't know. It all looks very vague!

paulineb_2

Theres no blood link between them, people who have been step brother and step sister have married. The same way as some people have married a person who used to be their step mum or step dad. They arent full brother and sister or even half brother and sister, I cant think of any reason why they couldnt get married under the law.

Faith177

My MIL lives and had my two BIL with her step-son!

He is older than her though.

Very loooong story

Kayalana99

daisiegg wrote: »

I just googled and it looks like the law is pretty vague. http://www.weddingguideuk.com/prohibited-marriages/ this website seems to say that a woman can't marry her step-brother (though it doesn't say a man can't marry his step-sister?!) but it does say that step-siblings can't marry if they ever lived in the same household while under the age of 18. I don't know. It all looks very vague!

I don't believe that link to be true, no offense it just doesn't seem quite sure of itself!? :eek:

Here pick this apart : http://www.genetic-genealogy.co.uk/Toc115570145.html

daisiegg

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I don't believe that link to be true, no offense it just doesn't seem quite sure of itself!? :eek:

Here pick this apart : http://www.genetic-genealogy.co.uk/Toc115570145.html

Hence me saying it all looks very vague