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Annulment
An annulment is a legal ruling that a marriage was never valid from the start, as if it never legally existed.
What it actually is
In a family court case, annulment is a proceeding to declare a marriage void or voidable due to specific defects present at the time of the marriage, such as fraud, duress, or incapacity. It differs from divorce, which ends a valid marriage, and requires proof that the marriage was legally flawed from its inception.
Why it matters in your case
For someone in a court case, annulment can affect property division, spousal support, and the legal status of children differently than divorce. It may also carry religious or personal significance, as it treats the marriage as though it never occurred, which can impact inheritance rights and tax filings.
The common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is that annulment is simply a faster or cheaper version of divorce. In reality, annulment requires proving a legal defect existed at the time of the marriage, which is often more difficult and less common than divorce.
Get the actual rule
Definitions are orientation; rules are authority
This page explains the concept. When it matters to your case, read the rule that governs it in your court — we hold Texas, federal and Washington court rules word for word, and every state's official resources are on the state pages. If someone cites a case at you, check that it exists first.
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Terms that travel with this one
General explanation, not legal advice, and not specific to any state — procedures and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and court. If you can get a lawyer or free legal aid, do: every real option.