Mt. Juliet and Lebanon TN
Have you fallen victim to a marriage that was invalid or fraudulent in some way? If so, then an annulment may be the best solution for you. It is important, however, to make sure that you consult the advice of an experienced divorce attorney, such as the Law Office of Yancy Belcher before proceeding with an annulment. There are certain laws in the state of Tennessee regarding an annulment that you need to be made aware of to ensure you understand your rights.
Typically, when most people think of ending a marriage, divorce is the first thing that pops up in their mind. However, there is also another option that may be ideal for you, which is an annulment. An annulment is basically voiding the marriage, which means, legally speaking, the marriage never happened.
Tennessee has some of the most stringent laws in the United States regarding the annulment of a marriage.
In the Volunteer State, only the following circumstances are considered legal grounds for an annulment:
- Mental illness, insanity or another incapacity that prevented consent to the marriage
- Temporary insanity
- One party entering the marriage as a result of being the victim of fraud, being under duress, or due to threat of violence
Other legal grounds for annulment include bigamy, incest, permanent impotence, and the denial of marital rights, such as cohabitation or engaging in sexual relations—only in cases where those involved in the marriage never lived together or consummated the marriage. If you are not sure whether you can file for an annulment or may require a divorce instead, consult the advice of an experienced attorney such as the Law Office of Yancy Belcher.
How does an annulment differ from a divorce? There is no divorce settlement, which means no rights to marital property or any division of assets. This is something that needs to be considered be deciding which option is best for you, whether an annulment or a divorce. There also are no succession rights or rights to alimony. An annulment may be the right option for you if you are not seeking alimony. Typically, an annulment will not take as long as a divorce, which may save you both time and money in the long run.
To navigate the strict laws for annulment in the state of Tennessee, you need an experienced lawyer on your side. One of the specialties of the Law Office of Yancy Belcher is divorce/family law. We can handle your annulment, as well as a divorce—both uncontested and uncontested—along with child support or paternity issues, and adoption proceedings. There are lots of specifics regarding the law when it comes to a divorce or an annulment, so be sure to meet with an experienced attorney.
If you or someone you know has entered a marriage under any of the circumstances listed above, then contact our office at (615) 773-2889 to learn more about obtaining representation for an annulment. We welcome you for a free consultation.
The Law Office of Yancy Belcher serves clients in Middle Tennessee including Mt. Juliet, Hermitage, and Lebanon.
