What Is an Annulment?
Divorce may not always be the answer to ending a marriage. Some circumstances allow for what is known as an annulment, which essentially means that the marriage or partnership was never valid. Annulling a marriage, in the eyes of the law, means that it never happened.
Annulment Qualifications
By nature, some marriages are never considered legally valid. This applies to either incestuous marriages that involve two people who are close blood relatives, or bigamy. While these two examples are more straightforward, there are several other marriages that can be declared invalid and annulled.
Here is a brief overview of what types of circumstances may qualify for an annulment:
- The person filing for an annulment was a minor at the time of the marriage or domestic partnership.
- Either person is not of sound mind or lacks the capability to understand the nature of marriage or domestic partnership.
- The marriage or domestic partnership occurred as a direct result of fraud.
- The marriage or domestic partnership occurred as a result of one person being forced into it.
- The parties were married or entered a domestic partnership while one was physically incapacitated, rendering them unable to consummate the relationship.
Statute of Limitations for Annulment in CA
Additionally, there is a statute of limitations for an annulment in the state of California. Surpassing the time limit will mean you must get a divorce or legal separation if you still wish to end the marriage or domestic partnership.
California law states that you have 4 years to file for annulment if the reasons are due to physical incapacity, age, or by force. For example, if one partner was under the age of 18 upon entering the marriage or domestic partnership, then they will have 4 years to file annulment. A marriage that took place under false pretenses — such as fraud — would be considered invalid. You may file for an annulment up to 4 years after discovering the fraud. An annulment can also be filed at any time if one partner is of unsound mind.
At Chung & Ignacio, LLP, we have a legal team that is committed to helping our clients and navigating them through the difficulties of ending a marriage. We offer unparalleled determination, creativity, and compassion.
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