What are the grounds for annulment in Virginia?

Before attempting to get an annulment, you should know that it is not the same as a divorce. Annulment is a legal process that involves having a court declare that a marriage never existed. The grounds for obtaining such a declaration vary from state to state. Below, you will find some of the circumstances that may allow you to get an annulment in Virginia.

A marriage may be annulled:

• If it was not properly solemnized or licensed
• If one spouse was mentally incapable
• If one of the parties was already married
• If one party was impotent at the time of marriage
• If the marriage joins close relatives such as brother and sister or aunt and nephew.

There are several instances when the non-disclosure of information by one party entitles the other to have a marriage annulled. These include:

• Conviction of a felony
• Marriage based on fraud
• History of prostitution
• A woman is pregnant with another man’s child at the time of marriage
• Unbeknownst to his wife, a man fathers a child within ten months of the marriage.

Legal Assistance

Annulment in Virginia is not common. One reason is because the grounds are often difficult to prove.  If you wish to proceed with this action, it is highly advisable for you to obtain legal representation. For best results, search for a family lawyer who specializes in this area of law.