Newport Beach Annulment Lawyer

Dissolving Marriages with Discretion and Expertise

Some marriages were simply not meant to be. It can be extremely difficult to recognize and acknowledge that your recent marriage was a mistake, but relatively straightforward legal remedies are available under a range of circumstances. At the Burch Shepard Family Law Group, our Newport Beach family lawyers have experience helping clients obtain annulments, and you can turn to us for informed legal counsel in this difficult time.

Interested in pursuing an annulment in Orange County? Our lawyers can guide you through the process. Contact us online or call us at (949) 565-4158 today.

Valid Grounds for Annulment in California

In essence, an annulment is a court declaration that a marriage was not legally valid. Making a successful case for an annulment erases the marriage from the public record as if it never took place — an outcome decidedly different from that of divorce.

In California, valid legal reasons for annulment include:

• Bigamy — when one of the parties was already legally married or in a lawful domestic partnership.
• Permanent, incurable inability to consummate the relationship.
• Marriage involving a minor under 18 years of age.
• Various forms of fraud and deception, as when one party marries only to gain legal immigrant status or lies about a known inability to have children.
• Marriage by force or coercion.
• "Unsound mind" at the time of the marriage on the part of the party filing for annulment — which may include extreme intoxication or other temporary or fundamental mental incompetence.

Step-by-Step Guide to Annulment in California

Annulment is a legal process that declares a marriage null and void. Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage, an annulment treats the marriage as if it never existed. In California, annulments are available under specific circumstances, such as fraud, bigamy, or incapacity to consent. Our Newport Beach annulment lawyers have extensive experience handling annulment cases and can provide comprehensive guidance throughout the process.

The annulment process in California typically involves:

1. Filing a petition for annulment with the court
2. Serving the other party with the petition and summons
3. Attending a court hearing to establish the grounds for annulment
4. Obtaining a judgment of annulment from the court

Our skilled and efficient lawyers can provide personalized counsel and representation to help you navigate the complex annulment process. We understand the emotional and financial impact of ending a marriage, and we are committed to protecting your rights and interests. Contact our Orange County annulment attorneys today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you achieve the best possible outcome in your annulment case.

Comprehensive Counsel And Representation By A Skilled, Efficient Lawyer

An attorney at our firm can carefully evaluate whether you may qualify for an annulment ("nullity" of a marriage) under California law and also explain other viable legal options. Acting promptly can be important, since statutes of limitations on annulment exist for many relatively common circumstances.

In addition, our lawyers offer extensive knowledge of many other aspects of California family law and civil law, which means we can assist you in actions you can take if your annulment filing is successful. Examples include dividing property and debt or filing to establish parentage if you have children from an annulled "marriage."

We treat our clients with respect and understanding, and we are dedicated to finding the best legal path for accomplishing your goals.

Whatever the reason you are seeking an Orange County annulment lawyer, we encourage you to contact us for dependable counsel by calling (949) 565-4158.