How to Get an Annulment in Virginia (Part B)

A Virginia annulment renders your marriage null and void. If you are seeking an end to your marriage, but hope to avoid having to get a Virginia divorce, you might have questions about what marriages qualify for annulment in Virginia.

Annulling a Defect Marriage in Virginia

Perhaps the most straight-forward grounds for annulment in Virginia is the presence of a "defect" - or grievous error - in your marriage process itself. Listed below are a few examples of martial errors that may qualify your marriage for annulment:

• Your wedding was performed by someone not legally qualified to officiate
• No valid marriage license
• Either you or spouse were too young to legally marry
• Either party was mentally handicapped at the time of the marriage
• You or your spouse were legally married to another person at the time of the marriage. For instance, if your husband had a previous wife from whom he had separated, but never legally divorced.
• Cases of incestuous marriage

If Your Husband Withheld Information Prior to the Wedding

Another option for annulment in Virginia relates to instances where either you or your spouse withheld a critical piece of information prior to the marriage. These non-disclosed factors must be quite significant and often can be very upsetting for the person who was kept in the dark. Some examples of annulment in the case of non-disclosure might include:

• Discovering that your spouse has a felony conviction
• Your husband didn't tell you about his impotence
• Pregnancy outside of the marriage within 10 months of the wedding date; this also applies if your husband fathered a child with another woman within that time frame

Marital Fraud and Annulment in Virginia

Some Virginia marriages qualify for annulment in cases of fraud. The standards for proving fraud in a Virginia marriage are quite high and to prove fraud, you must demonstrate:

• A misleading or fictitious representation by your spouse
• The misrepresentation was intentional
• You had full faith and trust in your spouse
• You suffered damage

Retaining a Virginia Divorce Lawyer

At this vulnerable time, it's critical that you have exceptional legal representation that not only understands the specifics of your case, but is dedicated to your best interests and that of your family.

The Virginia divorce attorneys at Hofheimer/Ferrebee represent Virginia women who wish to file for divorce. We are committed to fighting for your rights, assisting in child custody disputes, and ensuring that you receive everything you are entitled to and need in order to start your new life. Contact us to schedule your legal consultation today - (757) 425-5200.

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