In the United States, a marriage can be ended either through a divorce or an annulment. While divorce legally ends a marriage, an annulment makes it as though the marriage had never existed. This means the court will not make decisions regarding the division of assets and property, child support and custody, or other factors involved in traditional divorce proceedings. Thus, an annullment is often less complicated and quicker than divorce.
Annulments are only granted in certain circumstances. You may seek an annulment if:
- One party was underage
- One party was under the threat of force
- One party was mentally incapacitated
- One party made fraudulent claims
In these situations, the marriage may be considered voidable by the family court system. Furthermore, bigamous marriages (where one party was already married to someone else at the time of the marriage), and marriages involving incest (between a parent and child, grandparent and grandchild, first cousins, aunt and nephew, or uncle and niece), are considered voidable. Thus, if your marriage fits any of these categories, you may be able to receive an annulment instead of a standard divorce.
Knowledgeable Representation for Clients Facing Divorce or Annulment
Smith Law Offices, LLC provides diligent legal services to clients who are seeking a divorce or annulment. Whatever the case, we can analyze your situation and determine your eligibility for either option. Throughout the legal process, our St. Charles divorce lawyers will answer your questions, provide advice for decisions concerning child custody and financial aspects, and work hard to protect your interests.
Contact our firm today to schedule an initial consultation.