FIVE MYTHS ABOUT ANNULMENTS IN MICHIGAN

by Van Den Heuvel Law Office

The word ‘annulment’ often conjures up images of impulsive Las Vegas weddings, but truthfully, many couples want an annulment even when they did not get married in the spur of the moment. The reasons people want to get an annulment are plentiful, just as there are many reasons for getting divorced. Annulments have many myths associated with them because they are so misunderstood. Below are the five most common myths about annulments in Michigan, and the truth behind them.

Marriages that Only Last for a Few Days Qualify for an Annulment

The myth that marriages that only last for a few days qualify for an annulment may stem from the myth that when people get married impulsively, it is likely to fail. However, the length of the marriage has nothing to do with whether or not it qualifies for an annulment. You must still prove the grounds for annulment, which in Michigan include:

• Force or fraud
• Underage marriages
• Bigamy
• Incapacity
• Familial kinship

Legal Annulments and Religious Annulments are the Same

An annulment may be granted legally and recognized by the courts, or it may be granted by a church or other religious establishment. Still, legal annulments and religious annulments are not the same things. The courts may grant a legal annulment and the religion may still not recognize it. Likewise, a religion may grant an annulment, while the court system will not allow it.

You can Get an Annulment if You Have Not Consummated the Marriage

Many people think that if they have not been physically intimate, they can automatically get an annulment. In Michigan, this is not true. You must meet the grounds for an annulment, and sexual relations are not on the list. However, if one spouse never intended to consummate the marriage and did not reveal that to the other party, that may constitute fraud, which does provide grounds for an annulment.

You can Get an Annulment if You Regret Getting Married

Sadly, many people regret getting married, but regret does not provide legal grounds for an annulment. To get an annulment, you must persuade a court that the marriage should be deemed non-existent, and the argument of regret is not enough to do that.

It is Easier to Get an Annulment Than a Divorce

Divorce and annulments are both legal processes, and they are both extremely complex. To get an annulment in Michigan, you must essentially take all the same steps you would when getting a divorce. In addition to this, you must also prove that you have grounds for annulment. In many cases, an annulment may be more difficult and more time-consuming to finalize than a divorce.

Our Michigan Family Lawyers can Help With Your Annulment

Annulments are not easy to get, but that does not mean that they are impossible. At Van Den Heuvel Law Office, our Grand Rapids family lawyers can help you through the process and ensure you are successful with your case. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a meeting with one of our skilled attorneys and to learn more about how we can help.

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