While divorce is an exceedingly common option for ending a marriage, some couples in Minnesota may also seek out an annulment. This legal option is not right for everyone however and it can be difficult to meet the criteria that would render a couple eligible for an annulment. VeryWellMind.com explains annulments and how to determine whether this option would be right for you.
How annulments and divorces are different
When you get a divorce, your union with your former spouse will be legally dissolved and you both be single once again. With an annulment, the marriage itself is deemed invalid. As a result, the marriage is expunged in a sense, since it was never considered legal in the first place. A religious annulment does not have the same impact. Also, even though the marriage is considered invalid it will still be on record as having occurred.
How finances are handled
Divorced couples are able to pursue spousal support after their marriage has been terminated. Additionally, the shared marital assets must be divided, which each party receiving a suitable portion based on the laws in their state and the courts ruling. The court aims to restore the previous financial state of each part with an annulment, which means shared assets will not be divided. When it comes to spousal support, neither party is entitled to payouts because the union wasn’t considered valid in the first place.
Reasons an annulment may be granted
Misrepresentation is one reason an annulment may be granted. For instance, if a husband or wife has a child from a previous marriage or a criminal record that was not disclosed, the other party can claim they were influenced to marry under false pretenses. Marriages involving an underage person or a relative can also be annulled. Undisclosed sexual dysfunction, an existing marriage, or marrying under the influence of drugs and alcohol may all be reasons for an annulment to occur.
