Define Annulment
An annulment is a legal cancellation of a marriage. An annulment breaks the marriage, but isn't always an option for couples wishing to separate. An annulment decrees that the marriage was not valid.
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Meaning
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An annulment means something is canceled or repealed. Usually, an annulment is used to describe an official or legal cancellation--as in the case of a marriage.
Invalid Marriage
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A marriage is a legal contract. An annulment is different than a divorce. Couples granted a legal annulment are considered as if they were never married. Marriages that qualify for annulment are treated as invalid because of the couple's circumstances.
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Annulment Reasons
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An annulment is granted because the court believes the marriage was invalid. Reasons for granting an annulment include: the couple is closely related, one or both spouses were mentally incapacitated at the wedding, one of the spouses was under legal age for consent, the wedding was forced because of threat, one of the spouses was already married, or the wedding was entered into fraudulently.
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References
- Photo Credit ring image by Jens Klingebiel from Fotolia.com weddingcake figurine image by Viktor Sychkov from Fotolia.com
