Marriage Annulment

An annulment is a legal process used to dissolve a marriage as if it was never valid in the first place. In Tampa, grounds for an annulment include mental incapacity or illness of one or both spouses, either party under age 18 without consent of parents or guardian, bigamy (one of the spouses already being legally married to someone else), fraud, impotency at time of marriage, duress, or physical injury permanently preventing normal marital activity.

The court may also grant an annulment if one spouse had a previous undissolved marriage or if one spouse obtained the marriage through force, menace, or duress. Although any couple can file for an annulment in Tampa, certain qualifications must be met.

A case must be filed within two years from the date of the marriage and there is no legal separation available prior to filing for divorce. Marriage annulments are complex matters and it is wise to consult with an experienced attorney who can help navigate the process.

Marriage annulment lawyer in Tampa serving all of Hillsborough County and surrounding communities

In Florida, to be granted an marriage annulment you must be able to show the marriage is voidable for one of four reasons:

1. Fraud and deceit: Where the deceiving party was lying regarding material facts and the other party actually relies on the misrepresentation.

2. Duress and undue influence: The act of duress must be shown to have stopped the innocent party from expressing or acting with any form of freewill.

3. Consanguinity: This is actually where the parties are related within a certain degree of one another.
4. Impotence: This is simply the inability to have marital relations.

If you would like to learn more about your annulment options, call Buchholz Family Law today at  813-902-9100 or complete the contact form below to schedule a free consultation appointment.