I have the interesting case of Robert Boulding of Godmersham in Kent who loses his wife in 1732 when he has a whole handful of very young children, the youngest aged just 2 years old. Naturally he probably needed a wife to help with the children after his wife's death and in Jun 1732 he married Elizabeth Ladd exactly a year to the day of his wife's burial on June 5th 1733.
So far so good. But then later that very same year Robert in 1733 Nov 18 Robert Boulden applied for a Licence to marry Sarah Mount (whilst still married to Elizabeth). His second wife, Elizabeth, was buried three weeks later on December 6 1733 and so was almost certainly still alive when Robert applied for the Licence.
1732 Jun 5 bur Hester Bolden [1st wife]
1733 June 5 Robert Boulding wdr & Eliz Ladd widow [2nd wife]
1733 Nov 18 Marriage Licence: Boulden Robert & Sarah Mount [3rd wife]
1733 Dec 6 bur Eliz wife of Robert Bolding [2nd wife]
1734 5 Dec Robert Boulden of Godmersham & Sarah Mount widow [3rd wife - actual marriage]
Maybe it was possible to apply for a Marriage Licence for another wife with an existing but terminally ill wife? The actual marriage took place a year after the licence was applied for.
Robert inherited from his short marriage from the 2nd wife.
Elizabeth Bolden als Ladd A Act 1734 PRC22/24/208 [2nd wife of Robert]
April 1st before Henry .... Adm of the goods of Elizabeth Bolden late of Godmersham deceased was committed to Robert Boulden husband of the said deceased being first sworn to administer the same bound with him John Booth and William Ellott both of Cant. pipemakers in £200
2nd April 1734 before John Frances.