What’s an Annulment? [Things You Need to Know]

We get this question a lot, so we figured it would be a good idea to have the answer right on our website! If we want to look at this in a simplified way, a divorce ends a valid marriage, while an annulment erases it. When a marriage is annulled, it’s treated as though it was invalid and therefore never legally existed.

What is the difference between annulment and divorce?

Divorce can end a marriage fairly easily, and irreconcilable differences are accepted as valid grounds in Minnesota. Annulments, on the other hand, require very specific criteria to be approved. Basically, the marriage needs to be found invalid for an appropriate reason.

Valid Grounds for Annulment

• Bigamy (When one spouse is already married when they enter into the new marriage).
• The two parties discover they’re relatives (Incest).
• A spouse is not legal age for marriage.
• One spouse has hidden important information from the other before getting married (Drug addiction, major illness, a child from a previous relationship, etc.).
• And more.

To successfully get an annulment, one of these factors needs to be proven in a court of law with witnesses, which makes an annulment harder to get than a divorce. In addition, annulments are different from divorces in that there is no division of property or spousal support

Considering an Annulment or Divorce? Contact Us For a Free Consultation

At Therres Law Office, our team is welcoming, caring, and collaborative. We offer a comforting presence while providing helpful guidance from a place of genuine respect and appreciation.

You can trust that we’ll use our experience to help you feel safe and confident as you negotiate terms that affect the most cherished aspects of your life. Call 952-226-2223 now to schedule your free consultation!