Legal And Religious Annulments

Some people look into an annulment as an alternative to divorce. While it is possible for some, qualifying for an annulment is not possible for most couples. Timing is important. For example, if a person is aware that they qualify for an annulment, they should move forward with the process without delay.

If you are considering an annulment or want to know if you qualify, discuss your situation with a Bucks County family attorney.

Qualifications for an Annulment

An annulment is a legal proceeding that ends a marriage, it is similar to divorce in that way. The difference is an annulment voids the marriage. Some choose to get a religious annulment, which would be granted by the church. A religious annulment does not impact what the state views as a marriage. For an annulment to be legally recognized by the state, you would need a civil annulment.

The grounds for annulments vary a bit from state to state. In Pennsylvania, the qualifiers for a marriage annulment are categorized as marriages that are not legally recognized, void marriages, and marriages that are valid but have a reason to be determined to be void, voidable marriages.

Reasons a union be categorized as a void marriage:

• Due to incapacity, a person was not able to consent to the union.
• Individuals are related, first cousins or closer.
• A spouse is already married to another.

Voidable marriages could be possible under the following conditions:

• One or both people were not legally old enough to be married.
• Underaged individuals did not have parental consent.
• Union was agreed to under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• There was fraud or illegal coercion involved.

Again, once the reason for qualifying for an annulment is recognized, the annulment should be filed right away.

Annulments Require a Court Process

While they are different from divorces in many ways, annulments do still require a court process. This means there could be lawyers involved and court fees will have to be paid. If the annulment is contested, the process could become more complex.

Timing is also an issue for many individuals who are seeking an end to their marriage. While an annulment is a fast process when it is depicted in movies and television shows, it can be slow in the real world. There are plenty of times when a divorce would be faster than an annulment.

Talk to Bucks County family attorney to determine what path is best for you. It is a rarity for a marriage to be annulled, divorces are far more common. If you are looking to end your marriage, you are not alone. There is no shame in making that decision, building a brighter future for yourself is a strong thing to do.

Do you have questions about the best way for you to end your marriage and move forward? The family law attorneys at Kardos, Rickles & Hand can help. Our dedicated legal team understands the finer points of family law. There are opportunities to create the life you want. Schedule your consultation today, call 215-968-6602.