Annulment of Marriage in Oregon

Guide to Annulment of Marriage in Oregon

Most marriages in Oregon end in either death or divorce. However, there is another way to dissolve a marital relationship. Annulment of marriage in OR is an option for couples whose marriage was void or voidable at the time it was contracted. This guide will explain the basics of annulment of marriage in Oregon, including the differences between annulment and divorce. If you need more in-depth information about annulment of marriage in OR, or legal advice about your particular situation, you may want to consult a family law attorney in your area.

Annulment vs. Divorce

Many people are confused about the difference between divorce and annulment of marriage in Oregon. When you get a divorce, you are acknowledging that a relationship existed between you and your spouse, but that the relationship has come to an end. When you get an annulment of marriage in OR, however, it is as if you had never been married at all. Annulment of marriage in Oregon retroactively voids your entire marriage. However, much as in divorce, a judge will need to approve your annulment of marriage in OR.

Grounds for Annulment of Marriage in Oregon

In order to have an annulment of marriage in OR approved by the courts, you will need to prove that one of two specific things has happened. The first of the two permissible grounds for annulment of marriage in Oregon is that one party lacked the ability to consent to the marriage. In some cases, annulment of marriage in OR can be granted on these grounds if you can prove that a party was mentally incompetent. Children are also incapable of consent to marry, and can attain an annulment of marriage in Oregon if they married illegally before the age of 18.

The other reason for the courts to allow an annulment of marriage in OR is when one party was forced or defrauded into marrying. If a spouse was lying about a fundamental aspect of the marriage and the spouse who was defrauded stops cohabiting with their spouse as soon as they find out, they may be granted an annulment of marriage in Oregon. In order to obtain an annulment of marriage in OR for these grounds, the spouses will need to have separated as soon as the force or fraud was stopped.

Alternatives to Annulment of Marriage in Oregon

Because annulment of marriage in OR is only available under very specific circumstances, many people would prefer an alternative. It can often be quicker and easier to have a no-fault divorce than to be granted an annulment of marriage in Oregon. Talking to a divorce attorney can help you understand the difference between annulment and divorce in terms of court procedure and cost, so you can make a fully informed decision for your individual situation.

Religious Annulment of Marriage in Oregon

This guide has covered the civil aspect of annulment of marriage in OR. If you need your marriage annulled for religious purposes (for instance, the Catholic Church does not allow divorcees to take communion), you will want to talk to your religious leader about these procedures. Typically, these are handled by churches only and do not require legal advice.