Orange County Annulment Attorney

Assistance with Annulment of Marriage in California

In some cases, marriage may not have been a good idea in the first place. You may be able to nullify your marriage or domestic partnership if you believe that the union is not valid. Nullifying the marriage essentially declares it to be void; as if the spouses had never married. Some couples prefer annulment over divorce or separation, depending on the situation. At Gill Law Group, our annulment lawyers in Orange County can discuss your unique circumstances and whether you qualify for an annulment, or whether divorce or separation is a better option for you.

Nullifying Marriages or Domestic Partnership

An annulment can only be granted under certain conditions. In California, you must be able to prove the grounds for annulment. There is also a statute of limitations to file for an annulment. If this time period expires, an annulment may no longer be an option for you.

So what do you have to prove to get an annulment? Marriages or domestic partnerships can be annulled if:

• One spouse was legally married or in a domestic partnership at the time
• Either spouse was of "unsound mind"
• Either spouse was forced
• Fraud was used
• The spouses are blood relatives (incest)

We have extensive experience navigating the paperwork and the family court system in California. Our law firm can walk you through each step and help to resolve any obstacles along the way.

Annulments in California: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which is better, annulment or divorce? Since not every marriage will qualify for an annulment, it's difficult to compare the two directly. An annulment declares an invalid marriage as void and makes it as though the marriage never happened. Whereas a divorce puts an end to a legally legitimate marriage. While the end results are the same, the legal requirements are different for each one.

Q. Do both parties have to be present for an annulment? Your partner does not need to be present for the annulment proceedings, however, they do have the right to be present. Additionally, prior to scheduling your hearing you will be required to notify your partner of the annulment proceedings by serving them with legal documents. Our firm can help ensure that you go through the process one step at a time and don't miss anything.

Helping Clients Move Forward with Peace of Mind

In addition to guiding clients through the annulment process, we can also resolve common issues such as child custody, child support, and property rights of each spouse. Because annulment works differently than a divorce, it is always a good idea to consult an annulment attorney in Orange County about what to expect and what will happen to your children. With offices in Irvine, San Francisco, San Diego, and Newport Beach, we offer personalized legal counsel to clients in Orange County and throughout California.

Call us at (949) 681-9952 to get started with a complimentary consultation with our Orange County annulment lawyers.