Civil Annulments - - How to Obtain a Civil Annulment

The Basics and Grounds of Civil Annulments

There are a lot of misconceptions about annulments. People often think that obtaining a civil annulment is easier than getting a divorce. In reality, civil annulments are often more difficult to obtain because civil annulments are much more narrowly defined than a divorce.

THE BASICS OF CIVIL ANNULMENTS

• A civil annulment states that a marriage never existed.
• A civil annulment can only be granted by a judge.
• A marriage is not legally impacted by a canonical annulment received through the Catholic church.
• The grounds for receiving a civil annulment vary from state to state and country to country.
• Generally, there is a tight time line for receiving a civil annulment. An annulment action usually has to be filed within two years of the marriage date.
• Some states have strict guidelines about living with one another.
• Cohabitation could be grounds for not granting an annulment.
  
• Being married only a short time is generally not grounds for an annulment.
• Maintenance or alimony would not usually be considered in an annulment.
• Children of an annulled marriage are considered legitimate.

REASONS ANNULMENTS ARE GRANTED -- GROUNDS FOR A CIVIL ANNULMENT

Bigamy

Incest

Fraud

Insanity

Mentally Disabled

Impotence

Under Legal Age of Consent

Marriage Not Consummated

Incompetence

Duress

Misunderstanding

Concealment

Incapacity Due to Drugs or Alcohol

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This text should not be regarded as legal advice. Consult an attorney familiar with marriage and family law and your own personal circumstances for legal advice regarding civil annulments.