A marriage is one of the most beautiful and sacred experiences a couple can experience. However, things aren’t always wonderful when couples decide to join their lives. If this is the case, a civil annulment can be used to end a marriage much like a divorce. But unlike a divorce, an annulment completely voids the marriage as if it never existed in the first place.
Annulments are not granted easily, which makes it very important to seek the legal support of a divorce lawyer. At Barrera Sanchez & Associates, P.C., we want to ensure that you understand some of the most common requirements in the annulment process. This includes recognizing the difference between voidable and void or illegal marriages.
Recognizing a Voidable Marriage
Perhaps the most important step in the annulment process is proving that your marriage is voidable based on one of several factors. This means your marriage is valid but should be annulled. Some of the most common grounds include:
- Force or coercion – this means a spouse in the marriage was strong-armed into it by intimidation or threat of force
- Fraud or deceit – meaning a spouse made false statements which the other spouse believed to be true at the time of marriage
- Physical impairment – this can often include impotency, which can prevent the couple from consummating their marriage
- Unsound mind – in some cases, a spouse may be unable to give consent in the marriage due to mental impairment or because of the influence of drugs or alcohol
The Right Option
Unfortunately, it’s not easy to be granted an annulment, which can leave divorce as the only viable option. This makes it highly important and necessary for you to seek the help of a qualified divorce attorney. Whether you’re lost and don’t know what your situation requires, or if you’re ready to move forward with the annulment process, the legal team at Barrera Sanchez & Associates, P.C. is here to help. For more information about our services, or to schedule your appointment, give us a call in McAllen today.