Annulment Attorney in Riverside

Getting an annulment is similar to getting a divorce in that you are pursuing the end of a marriage. Both the process of getting an annulment, as well as the results of an annulment are very different from a divorce. If you are pursuing an annulment, an annulment attorney in Riverside can make the process much easier.

Pursuing an annulment is a very different process than pursuing a divorce. Put simply, a divorce is the legal end of a marriage while an annulment is the legal declaration that a marriage was not legally valid and therefore never occurred.

Annulments can only be pursued in very specific situations. For example, incestuous or bigamous marriages are never valid and can, therefore, be annulled. Other reasons for an annulment include:

• not being of legal majority at the time of marriage,
• being of unsound mind at the time of marriage,
• being forced into the marriage,
• fraud about something vital to the relationship, such as hiding the inability to procreate or marrying solely to obtain legal resident status.

To receive an annulment, you will be required to prove that your marriage falls into one of these categories. Pursuing an annulment can be preferable to divorce because community property laws will not apply, and you will not be responsible for your spouse’s debts. Click here for some forms that may help.

Frequently Asked Questions

 If we have only been married for a short time, can we seek an annulment?

If you have only been married for a short time and have decided for whatever reason to separate, you must seek a divorce unless you can prove that your marriage meets one of the legal requirements for annulment. Annulments are not intended to end marriages that have been deemed to be mistakes or no longer wanted, but to end marriages that were never legally valid.

What if my request for an annulment is denied?

If your request for an annulment is denied, you still have some recourse. You may file an amended petition to the court to change your request to a divorce. You will be required to go through the normal divorce process, including the six-month waiting period. An annulment attorney in Riverside will be able to assist you should you need to amend your request for an annulment.

The legal process for seeking an annulment is very different than that for seeking a divorce and can quickly become complicated. If you are seeking an annulment, we are here to help you every step of the process.