In the United States, there are only two ways to legally end a marriage. One is divorce, and the other is by an annulment. They differ from one another because of the validity of the marriage in the eyes of the law once the marriage is terminated. A divorce will still recognize the legality of the once-was marriage. When a marriage is annulled, it’s as if it never happened. It is no longer recognized legally. However, unlike divorce; there are certain qualifications that must be met in order for a marriage to be annulled. Here are just a few of the stipulations that could qualify a marriage for an annulment.
• If a person has represented himself fraudulently, and their spouse was unaware, an annulment can be granted.
• If either parties was under duress, or forced, into the marriage; it may also qualify. Also, if either of the people in the marriage is already married, legally their marriage will be dissolved.
• If two people find that they are closely related, their marriage will be null and void due to incest.
While usually occurring within the first few months or years of a marriage, an annulment can be granted for long-term marriages as well. In a case where the couple has been married for quite a while, there may need to be a court hearing to divide assets, determine spousal support, and even reach a custody agreement. For more information on a family law attorney in Irvine, visit this website.
No comments:
Post a Comment