All About Civil Annulments
There are a lot of misconceptions about annulments. People often think they are easier to obtain than a divorce. In reality, annulments are often more difficult to receive because they are much more narrowly defined than a divorce.
THE BASICS
# An annulment states that a marriage never existed.
# A civil annulment can only be granted by a judge.
# A marriage is not legally impacted by a canonical annulment received through the Catholic church.
# The grounds for receiving an annulment vary from state to state, and country to country.
# Generally, there is a tight time line for receiving an annulment. An annulment action usually has to be filed within two years of the marriage date.
# Some states have strict guidelines about living with one another.
# Cohabitation could be grounds for not granting an annulment.
# Being married only a short time is generally not grounds for an annulment.
# Maintenance or alimony would not usually be considered in an annulment.
# Children of an annulled marriage are legitimate.
