Annulment

Annulments are uncommon but can be very useful. While a divorce ends a marriage, an annulment erases the marriage like it never existed. There is a finite list of grounds for annulment which include:

• One or both spouses was too young to be married.
• Insanity – a spouse was insane or unable to understand the nature of marriage when the spouses married.
• The spouses are related to a degree closer than first cousins.
• One of the spouses was already married. This is called bigamy and is also a crime.
• A spouse only married because they were coerced.
• One spouse tricked the other into getting married.
• One spouse cannot have sexual intercourse.
• The marriage has never been consummated.
• One spouse refuses to live with the other.

Some people choose annulments for religious reasons. Some people choose an annulment to protect their property rights or in an attempt to avoid paying alimony. Annulments are not right for everyone.

An experienced family law attorney can help you determine if you are eligible for an annulment and if one is right for you.