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What is the Difference Between an Indiana Divorce and an Indiana Annulment? 

When a marriage comes to an end, it is important to understand what your options are to legally terminate your union in the state of Indiana.  Two common methods for ending a marriage are by starting the Indiana divorce process or starting an Indiana annulment. You have undoubtedly heard of both options, and while divorces occur more often than annulments, that does not mean an annulment is not the right option for you.

If you are unsure what is the right option, speak with a Danville divorce attorney to learn about the best path forward for you and your ex-spouse. Christopher L. Arrington, PC, is an Indiana divorce attorney with extensive experience helping individuals facing divorce have an effective strategy to ensure the best outcome possible is obtained. When you work with Christopher L. Arrington, you will receive the highest quality legal services in the most cost-effective manner.

How are Indiana Divorces and Indiana Annulments Different?

Learning about the differences between an Indiana annulment and divorce can help you determine which option is better for your unique situation.

Indiana Divorce

You can obtain a divorce from your ex-spouse when you are able to prove that your marriage is broken beyond repair. When a divorce successfully comes to its completion, you will be legally separated and able to move forward with your life. However, the fact that you were married will remain in the public record; you will be considered a person who was married at one point in time.

There are several reasons why you would be able to end your marriage in Indiana including insanity, impotence, and irreconcilable differences. When both parties are on the same page, meaning you and your spouse agree that the marriage must come to an end, you will likely not see pushback from the court. When a divorce happens, the courts will figure out what is a fair division of assets as well as what amount would be appropriate for alimony, child custody time, and child support payments.

Indiana Annulment

When you proceed with an annulment, you are trying to have your marriage wiped from your history as if it never took place. When this happens in Indiana, it is called a “void marriage.” It is much more difficult to get an annulment. Minors who get married too young, those who are mentally unable to understand what consent to marriage is, and those who are coerced into marriages based on fraud will have a better chance of achieving an Indiana annulment.

There are certain situations in which the marriage was never legal to begin with. For example, if one partner marries another without knowing that he or she is already married, that marriage never legally existed. Int he case of incestuous marriages, the state will immediately have the ability to annul these unions. Property division can be tricky in annulments, perhaps even more so than in divorces. For the most part, though, annulment cases take less time to resolve than divorce cases.

Unsure Whether an Indiana Divorce or an Indiana Annulment is Better for You?

When it comes to the dissolution of one’s marriage, an Indiana divorce attorney can help you figure out which one will work out in your best interests. Ending a marriage is never the outcome you expect when you first walk down the aisle, but not every marriage is meant to be for life. Call Christopher Arrington, PC today to speak about your Indiana divorce situation at (317) 745-4494.



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