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Lawrenceville Annulment Attorney

Are you considering pursuing an annulment in Lawrenceville, GA? Under Georgia law, a marital annulment is only available in specific cases. It’s crucial to consult with an experienced Lawrenceville annulment attorney if you wish to void your marriage.

Crystal Wright Law has been representing family law clients in Gwinnett County for almost a decade. Our law office is prepared to give you the compassionate representation you deserve as you navigate complex divorce and family law issues.

Contact our office today at (404) 594-2143 to schedule an initial free consultation to discuss how we can help you.

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How Crystal Wright Law Can Help You with an Annulment in Lawrenceville

Ending a marriage is always a difficult decision. It comes with emotional challenges and complex laws and procedures. Annulment, in particular, has additional hurdles over a divorce. Annulments require specific grounds and proof. That’s why it’s crucial to work with divorce attorneys experienced with handling annulments.

The Lawrenceville family law attorney at Crystal Wright Law is prepared to assist you with every step of your annulment. Founding attorney Crystal S. Wright exclusively handles matters such as annulment, divorce, child custody, and support. She has been awarded an AVVO Clients’ Choice Award for her professionalism and her compassionate representation of her clients.

Here is how our law office is prepared to assist you with ending your marriage through annulment:

Offer sound legal advice and help you understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of annulment versus divorce
Provide guidance on how annulment may impact your future financial security
Discuss strategies for requesting any division of joint debts or assets
Help you present evidence that supports annulment
Protect your best interests

Contact our law office for an initial free consultation with a Lawrenceville annulment lawyer ready to help you.

What is an Annulment?

There are two ways to end a marriage: annulment or divorce. A civil annulment in Georgia can only be granted by the Superior Courts of Georgia, just like a divorce. While a divorce ends a marriage, an annulment declares the marriage invalid and void. Legally, it will be as if the marriage had never occurred.

What Are the Grounds for Annulment in Lawrenceville, GA?

Georgia has specific grounds for annulment. An annulment is only available if a marriage is void, invalid, or is prohibited by Georgia law.

The following circumstances provide grounds for annulment in Georgia:

One spouse is still legally married to someone else or was still married at the time of the marriage (also known as bigamy).
One spouse did not have the mental capacity to enter into a legal contract.
The spouses are related by blood or marriage.
One spouse was under 16 at the time of marriage.
One spouse was induced to enter into the marriage through duress, menace, or force.
One spouse was fraudulently induced into the marriage.

Under Georgia law, courts can grant annulments due to many forms of fraud. For example, annulment can be awarded if one spouse lied about a previous marriage, concealed an addiction, concealed a sexually transmitted disease, lied about their ability to have children, or lied about their religion.

Failure to consummate the marriage is not a valid grounds for annulment. The length of the marriage is also not a factor.

The party that files for annulment has the burden of establishing the grounds for annulment. However, your annulment can still be denied. For instance, suppose you were induced to marry through fraud but chose to continue living with your spouse in a marital relationship after discovering the fraud. In this case, the court may find that the marriage is ratified or valid.

Annulments are rare in Georgia. Courts view annulment requests with skepticism and require substantial proof. If you believe your marriage meets the requirements for an annulment, it’s important to consult with experienced Lawrenceville family law attorneys about your case.

Can We Obtain an Annulment if We Have Children?

Georgia law does not allow annulment if a child has been born or will be born of the marriage. Courts will not grant an annulment If the marriage has been consummated and the parties have had children since the date of marriage. Adopting a child during the marriage also disqualifies you from seeking an annulment.

If your marriage has resulted in children or pregnancy, you will need to file for divorce to end the marriage. This also means child custody and child support will become an issue.

How Does Annulment Affect Property Division in Georgia?

During divorce proceedings, marital property is divided in an equitable manner. An annulment voids a marriage, so there can be no marital property. Property and debts are typically not divided in an annulment case. However, property division may arise in some circumstances.

Is Spousal Support Available if My Marriage is Annulled?

Annulment treats a marriage as if it never happened. Both parties are returned to their previous status of unmarried. Spousal support awards that may be available in a divorce are not available in an annulment.

The court cannot grant a permanent spousal support or alimony award. However, an award of temporary alimony may be available. This spousal support is awarded while an annulment or divorce is still pending in court.

What Are the Benefits of Seeking an Annulment Instead of Divorce in Lawrenceville, Georgia?

Both divorce and annulment end a marriage and allow both spouses to remarry. However, an annulment means that the marriage is void — as if it never happened. Both parties are restored to the same position as they occupied before the marriage.

There are a few potential but uncommon benefits to annulling a marriage. For example, one partner can no longer make any claim against the other party’s estate if they pass away. An annulment may also determine ownership of any jointly held property, and it can potentially avoid the division of property and debts.

In rare cases, an annulment can be granted before pregnancy is detected. In this case, the annulment has no effect on the child’s legitimacy.

An annulment can potentially be resolved faster than a divorce. The legal process for getting an annulment is virtually the same as divorce. However, if the responding spouse does not respond to the summons within 30 days of proper service of the annulment petition, a judge can enter an order without a court hearing.

Ultimately, choosing annulment over a divorce is a very personal decision. Many people choose annulment for religious reasons or to avoid social stigma or embarrassment.

Contact a Lawrenceville Annulment Attorney for a Free Consultation

Annulment is a complex area of family law in Georgia. Few divorce lawyers have experience handling annulment cases. If you are prepared to pursue an annulment of your marriage, you deserve sound legal representation to protect your best interests.

Contact Crystal Wright Law today for a case review with a Lawrenceville annulment attorney. Our law office is ready to give you the personal attention, compassion, and understanding you need as you navigate this emotionally difficult process.

Visit Our Divorce & Family Law Office in Lawrenceville, GA

Crystal Wright Law
440 S. Perry Street Suite 105, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(404) 594-2143

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