Do you need help with the annulment process in Atlanta, Georgia? If so, contact The Edwards Law Group at (770) 723-7211 to schedule an initial consultation. We can help clarify whether your circumstances qualify for an annulment under the rules in Georgia.
Annulments can be complex, and they require that your situation fit within very specific rules. Understanding these rules is crucial to getting your annulment done properly, and our team has more than 50 years of combined experience helping family law clients throughout Atlanta.
Why Choose The Edwards Law Group For Help With an Annulment in Atlanta?
Going through the annulment process can be a difficult time, and the Atlanta family lawyers at The Edwards Law Group are here to help every step of the way.
Undoing a marriage is never easy, and clients in Atlanta, GA, turn to us for help through the annulment process because:
- We have a deep understanding of Georgia family law and the annulment process
- Our team is dedicated to protecting your rights and interests
- Our lines of communication are always open, and we will keep you informed every step of the way
If you need help with an annulment, our Atlanta annulment attorneys can help you understand all of your legal options and plan a path forward that works best for you and your family. Call us today to schedule an initial consultation and put our experience to work for you.
What Is an Annulment?
People often confuse an annulment with a divorce, but the two are actually quite different. A divorce is a legal proceeding that ends a legal marriage. However, an annulment is a legal declaration that the marriage is null and void. After an annulment, it is as if the marriage never occurred in the first place.
Because an annulment challenges the validity of the marriage itself, it is available only in limited circumstances. A spouse who simply wants to end a valid marriage generally needs to pursue a divorce instead.
What Are the Legal Grounds for an Annulment in Georgia?
Before you can be granted an annulment, you must prove that your situation qualifies for an annulment under the law. Under Georgia law, a marriage may be subject to annulment when it was legally invalid from the beginning.
Depending on the circumstances, issues that may affect the validity of a marriage include:
- Married spouse: One spouse was already legally married to another person.
- Incest: The couple finds out that they are closely related by blood or law.
- Mental incapacity: One or both spouses lacked the mental capacity to consent to marriage.
- Fraud: One party was fraudulently induced into the marriage through deceit or lies.
- Forced marriage: One party was coerced into the marriage under duress and against their will.
- Underage marriage: A party did not satisfy Georgia’s legal requirements for entering the marriage.
A common misconception is that an annulment can be granted as long as the parties have only been married a short time. That is not the case, and you must meet one of the criteria above to qualify for an annulment.
Georgia law provides that an annulment may not be granted when children are born or are expected as a result of the marriage. If an annulment is denied, then they must file for a traditional divorce.
What Happens After Filing for an Annulment in Atlanta?
The amount of time an annulment takes depends on the facts of the case and whether the other spouse contests it. An annulment generally cannot be granted until at least 30 days after the other person has been served with the Petition for Annulment. Contested cases can take longer because the court may need to resolve disagreements about whether legal grounds for an annulment exist.
Once an annulment is final, a person may generally marry again as long as there is no other legal barrier to the new marriage. Because an annulment declares the prior marriage invalid, there is generally no additional waiting period simply because the previous marriage ended through annulment.
Am I Allowed to Remarry After an Annulment?
Yes, you are allowed to remarry after an annulment. Remember that an annulment is the process of declaring your marriage null and void. In fact, there is no waiting period after an annulment before you can get remarried. Technically, if your annulment were finalized today, you could get remarried as soon as tomorrow.
Can an Annulment Address Alimony or Children?
Financial issues in an annulment can differ from those in a divorce because an annulment is based on the marriage being legally invalid. Depending on the circumstances, temporary alimony may be an issue while an annulment case is pending. However, long-term financial rights can depend on whether the marriage was legally valid and how the case is resolved.
Georgia law also limits when an annulment is available if children are involved. If children were born or are expected as a result of the marriage, the parties generally must use another legal process rather than annulment. Issues involving child custody and child support can then be addressed through the appropriate family law proceedings.
Contact Our Atlanta Annulment Attorneys Today for an Initial Consultation
Whether an annulment is available depends on why the marriage may be legally invalid and the specific circumstances involved. If annulment is not an option, divorce or another family law proceeding may provide a path forward.
The Edwards Law Group brings 50 years of combined experience to Georgia family law matters. Our Atlanta annulment lawyers can review your circumstances, explain your options, and help you determine your next steps.
Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.
Join Us On