Civil Annulment
A civil annulment is an alternative to a divorce. It can be filed after a short marriage or a long one. However, it is more complicated than a typical divorce.
First, you must determine what grounds you have for annulment. Many couples choose to go with an annulment over a divorce. Some people may have religious reasons for wanting an annulment.
Once you’ve decided to go through the annulment process, you’ll need to hire a lawyer. If you’re from New Jersey, an annulment attorney nj can guide you through the process and advise you about your next steps.
You’ll also need to provide information about your income and assets. You might be eligible for court assistance that is free or significantly discounted if you have a low income.
After filing the annulment petition, you’ll need to serve the other spouse with the documents. This means having another adult hand them to the other spouse. Then, you’ll have a 21-day period to receive a response.
After the other spouse has a chance to respond, you’ll have a hearing. The judge will decide whether to annul the marriage. Sometimes, the judge will decide based on the other party’s response.
You may also have to file a child support case if you have children. Some jurisdictions require a child support agreement for a court to grant an annulment.
Waiver of Fraud Grounds
When it comes to a divorce, nothing is more painful than the realization that your spouse is cheating on you. For example, if your spouse has cheated on you in a big way, you may be left stranded, or worse, you can no longer claim to be their sole legal representative. Thankfully, you have options. The trick is to learn what you can and can’t tolerate. A quick phone call to your lawyer or a few clicks on your favorite legal aggregator should get the ball rolling in the right direction. Ultimately, you will have the choice of slamming the door on your marriage or finding a cost-effective and satisfactory solution.
As mentioned, you may have to wait around a bit, so the best way to go about this endeavor is to make an appointment with your legal team. Once you’ve got their attention, ask them what the best time to file a case is. You can also have them file a writ of segregation on your behalf. They will then take care of the heavy lifting, and you can focus your energy on your future and present. It’s common for two people with a lot of chemistry to have trouble getting along. Fortunately, your legal team has the experience and resources to do the job correctly.
Cost
When you file for an annulment, the cost will depend on the case you are involved in. The more complex the case, the more the costs will be. There are some cases where the annulment process will be less expensive than a divorce.
In some states, you may be required to attend hearings. Other states don’t have this requirement. However, you will need to pay the court for any appearances. You also may have to pay for a notary or process server. These fees can vary depending on where you live.
A marriage annulment can cost anywhere between a few hundred and several thousand dollars. This depends on the state you live in and the complexity of your case.
To begin the annulment process, you will have to file two forms. One is for the petitioner and one for the respondent. Once these are filed, you must serve the papers to your spouse.
You may apply for a waiver if you cannot afford legal representation. However, you will have to pay the lawyer a large portion of the fee upfront.
The process of filing for an annulment can be time-consuming. It can take six months to four years. Many times, you will have to attend multiple hearings. Additionally, you will have to prove the grounds for the annulment.