How Does an Annulment Work?

Annulments are legal procedures which are used to declare certain marriages null and void.  Unlike a divorce, which is the legal dissolution of a marriage, an annulment is the act of making the entire marriage invalid, or as if it never happened in the first place.  Typically, annulments are the only options available to Roman Catholics, who believe that a marriage cannot be dissolved in God's eyes unless it was invalid to begin with. 

Reasons for Seeking an Annulment

A person's reason for seeking an annulment of their marriage is referred to as a diriment impediment. Examples include one or both partners being insane, committing adultery, deceiving facts in order to trick the other into marriage, being blood related and being drunk or under the influence of narcotics at the time of the wedding.  

That said, these reasons for annulment usually won't prevent all marriages from taking place, since most states allow first cousins to marry and Las Vegas's economy would partially collapse it drunken couples weren't able to wed, they're merely viable reasons to dissolve a union.

Going to Court

Annulments have to be granted in courts by judges in order to be legitimate.  The process's length and outcome depend on the reason for the dissolution of marriage as well as whether or not both parties are consenting to it.  In cases in which one partner is underage or has concealed his or her criminal history, the annulment is typically granted.  However, if only one party is seeking the dissolution, the procedure may be hindered slightly.

If a Child or Children are Involved

If a couple is seeking an annulment and also have biological or adopted children together, said offspring are considered to be legitimate if they were born or adopted before the marriage was declared null and void.  Afterwards, their care and custody is determined exactly as it would had their parents divorced instead.