Annulments are legal alternatives to divorce available to individuals who entered into marriages under illegal or fraudulent circumstances. Annulments are entirely separate from divorces, and they do not include the complexities of division of assets, child custody, child support, alimony, etc. This is because executed annulments create a situation where a previous marriage legally never existed. It is important to understand that this is wholly separate from an annulment granted by a religious institution such as the Catholic Church.
Today, our divorce and family law attorneys will discuss define annulments and discuss who may be eligible in New Jersey. If you or a loved one believes you may be eligible for an annulment or have any other questions or concerns surrounding a divorce or family law matter, call our office today for a free and confidential consultation with our qualified legal team.
Morris County, NJ Divorce Lawyers Define Annulments
In order to define annulments, our Morris County lawyers believe it is important to first distinguish between a legal annulment and a religious annulment. The latter is more common and more frequently discussed, which can create confusion for our clients.
Legal Annulments are alternatives to divorce offered by New Jersey courts when a divorce is considered null and void based on specific circumstances. If spouses are granted a legal annulment, their marriage will be removed from the legal record and it will be as if the marriage never took place. This option is attractive to clients who are trying to eliminate a painful chapter of their life and ensure the greatest degree of separation possible.
Religious annulments may be sought through a religious institution as well, but have no legal bearing on your annulment or divorce proceedings. Many individuals seek these types of annulments for personal, social, and of course religious reasons for improper marriages. While religious annulments have no impact on legal annulments, a granted legal annulment may help you get a religious annulment.
Chatham Annulment Attorneys Answer: Who Qualifies for Annulment?
New Jersey law has distinct circumstances which may lead to a successful annulment. Our Chatham annulment attorneys will speak to you about your situation and whether or not you have a valid claim. Examples of situations which may qualify for annulment include:
- Bigamy – defined as becoming married while already married to another individual. Bigamy and polygamy are illegal in the United States, and this can render a marriage void
- Your marriage was forced under the coercion of threatening behavior from others
- If either spouse was a minor at the time of the wedding. It may be possible for individuals as young as 16 to be legally married with parental consent, but the age of consent in the U.S. and our state is 18
- The inability of either party to understand or legally consent to being married based on a mental or physical handicap. Essentially, if either spouse was unable to give legal consent to the marriage, it is not valid
- An incestuous marriage. It is unlawful for close relatives to be wed per New Jersey and federal laws
- Sexual complications such as impotence, infertility, sterility, and more
- Fraud or other intentional lies before entering into a marriage. This may include misrepresenting one’s self, lying about previous children, lying about physical or mental health, and much more
Contact our Morristown Annulment and Divorce Attorneys Today
The divorce attorneys of Laufer, Dalena, Cadicina, Jensen & Bradley believe that annulments are a great alternative for our clients who feel they have been deceived or tricked into unlawful or unsatisfactory marriages. While they are not granted in every case, we will strive to show that your marriage qualifies for annulment so that you can move on with your life and put this painful chapter in the rearview mirror. Lean on our extensive experience and knowledge of state matrimonial law, led by six (6) lawyers named to the New Jersey Super Lawyers List.
Our legal team will keep you involved and informed throughout the legal process, as we have done for countless clients in Northeast New Jersey communities such as Morristown, Chester, Mendham, Chatham, Harding, Morris Plains, and the greater Morris Township region.
Contact us online or through our Morristown offices by calling 973-975-4043 today for a free and confidential consultation with our qualified legal team regarding your annulment, divorce, or any other family law matter.