Occasionally, divorce lawyers receive requests from clients for an annulment of a marriage. In Connecticut, courts grant legal annulments only in a limited number of instances. Here are important points about annulments and how they differ from divorces.

What You Should Know About Annulments Before Meeting With a Divorce Lawyer

How Annulment & Divorce Differ

A divorce is a dissolution of a valid marriage, ending it because of problems that occur after the ceremony takes place. An annulment is based on a marriage that was void or voidable when the ceremony took place. Marriages are presumed to be valid, and by granting an annulment, the court declares that a valid marriage never occurred.

How Can Someone Qualify for an Annulment?

In Connecticut, a civil annulment must be based on specific legal grounds that make the marriage void or voidable. Grounds that make a marriage void include bigamy, meaning one spouse was still married to someone else when the later ceremony took place, and incestuous relationships involving close family members. A misrepresentation or concealment of a physical or health condition material to the marriage relationship, or that endangers someone’s health, also voids marriages.     

Grounds That Make a Marriage Voidable

Grounds for an annulment based on a voidable marriage include a spouse’s physical or mental incapacity, fraud, force, or duress. A short period of marriage by itself is not enough to justify an annulment. It’s wise to seek counsel from a divorce lawyer to determine whether particular facts support an annulment petition. Spouses who do not qualify for annulment can file for divorce.

Divorce lawyers at The Law Office of Gregory G. St. John in Waterbury, CT, offer wisdom, skill, and professionalism to clients seeking advice and representation. Whether you need counsel on divorce, annulment, or a child custody dispute, a dedicated and compassionate attorney is available to help you. This family-operated law firm has more than 40 years of experience serving the New Haven County community. Learn more about their practice online, and call (203) 759-0240 to schedule a consultation.