The period one must wait following the finalization of a divorce before legally entering into a new marriage is determined by the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. This waiting period, sometimes referred to as a “cooling-off period,” exists to prevent legal complications arising from uncertain parentage or property division.
Mandatory waiting periods serve several purposes, including ensuring clarity in legal matters related to potential inheritance claims and avoiding ambiguity in financial settlements following the dissolution of the previous marriage. Historically, such regulations also reflected societal values related to the seriousness of marriage and the need for a period of reflection between unions.