Annulments are like divorces in that they legally dissolve a marriage, but the annulment makes it as if the marriage never occurred. In some cultures, there’s a stigma attached to Divorce in Pasadena, making an annulment preferable, and in other cases, couples prefer an annulment because it makes remarriage in the church easier. Below, you will learn about civil and religious annulment.
Civil Annulment Grounds
Every state’s civil annulment grounds vary, but in most cases, one of the following criteria must be met:
- Fraud or misrepresentation: For instance, if a woman lied about her ability or desire to have children, that she was of legal age, or that she was not already married, an annulment can be given.
- Concealment: If a spouse hides an addiction, criminal conviction, previous children, an STD or a sexual dysfunction, a lawyer may be able to get the other spouse an annulment.
- Inability or refusal to have sexual intercourse: If a spouse can’t or won’t consummate the marriage, grounds for annulment likely exist.
- Misunderstandings: If one person wants children and the other does not, an annulment may be given.
The majority of annulments take place after a very short time, usually just weeks or months. In such short term marriages, there are usually no debts or assets to divide, and no issues of child visitation, support and custody to consider. However, when a longer duration marriage is annulled, most states have rules on dividing assets and liabilities, and for the determination of child support, visitation, custody and spousal support. Any children conceived in an annulled marriage are considered legitimate.
Grounds for Religious Annulment
Within the Catholic Church, a couple can get a religious annulment after getting a divorce in civil court, which allows one or both spouses to remarry either in the church or secularly. A second marriage after a religious annulment will be fully recognized by the Catholic Church, and grounds for religious annulment are different than those for civil annulments. For more information on religious annulment, consult a clergy member; for help with a civil annulment, call Khalaf and Khalaf, Divorce Attorney today.
