815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
It is not uncommon to hear people use the term “annulment” when talking about a divorce, but it is important to understand the difference between annulment and divorce. While both involve ending a marriage, there are several key differences that are important to know before deciding which is best for your situation. If you are seeking family law practice in Winter Park, contact Frank Family Law Practice today to learn more about the options available to you.
An annulment is a legal process used to declare a marriage null and void. This means that the couple was never legally married and their union was treated as if it never occurred in the eyes of the law. Annulments are usually granted due to fraud or misrepresentation, or if one or both parties were underage or already married at the time of the marriage.
Divorce (also known as dissolution of marriage) is a legal action that dissolves a valid marriage contract between two individuals who have decided they no longer wish to remain married. This process involves making decisions about property division, alimony payments, child custody issues, and more. It can also be used if one spouse disappears for an extended period of time without contact with their partner.
The biggest difference between annulment and divorce is that an annulment renders a marriage completely invalid while divorce simply dissolves it. In other words, with an annulment, it’s almost like the marriage never happened while with divorce it’s like closing out a contract that was once valid but no longer applies. Another difference between these two processes is that with an annulment all assets must be returned to their original owners while in a divorce they may be divided according to state laws regarding asset division during dissolution of marriages. Finally, whereas divorces often take months or even years to finalize (depending on how complicated the case is), annulments can often be granted much faster due to the fact that there are fewer legal issues at hand compared with those involved in a divorce case.
Regardless if you choose an annulment or divorce when ending your marriage, understanding what each entails can help ensure you make an informed decision about which option would best serve you and your family’s needs going forward. If you live near Winter Park and need assistance navigating your family law case whether through annulment or divorce proceedings, contact Frank Family Law Practice today! With experienced attorneys ready to help guide you through this difficult process every step of the way - from filing paperwork to settlement negotiations - we have all your family law needs covered!