A New Jersey man in his 60s asked the syndicated advice column Dear Abby whether he could legally marry his first cousin, after falling in love with her following his wife’s death two years ago. The answer, according to the column, is yes.
The man, who signed his letter “Confused in New Jersey,” wrote that he and his cousin are both in their 60s. She is divorced and works as a lawyer. He asked columnist Abigail Van Buren whether it was reasonable to ask her on dates, and whether New Jersey law would even allow the two to marry.
Citing the legal reference site Justia (law.justia.com), Dear Abby told him first cousins are not listed among the relationships New Jersey bars from marriage or civil union. That means the state does not prohibit the union he’s considering.
“Even so, you will want to tread very carefully here. You say you’ve fallen in love with her, but are you sure she has romantic feelings for you? If not, you risk alienating a family member you deeply respect and admire,” the column advised.
No further legal detail was provided in the column beyond the Justia reference, and the letter writer’s identity and location within New Jersey were not disclosed.
