Some marriages are not meant to last, and you may find yourself wondering if yours is eligible for annulment.
To understand whether your union qualifies for annulment, you must understand its definition. While a divorce ends a marriage valid under the law, an annulment declares that a marriage was legally invalid.
Under what circumstances does Pennsylvania allow the annulment of marriages?
These are the five instances in which Pennsylvania nullifies marriages:
- When either party was less than 16 years old unless the marriage was expressly authorized by the court
- When either party was below 16 or 17 years old and lacked the consent of a parent or guardian or express authorization of the court. If the marriage was not ratified upon either party reaching 18 years of age and one spouse initiates a petition for annulment within 60 days of the marriage ceremony.
- When either party was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and files a petition for nullification within 60 days of the nuptials
- When either party is irreversibly impotent if the condition was unknown to the other spouse prior to the nuptials
- When one party coerced the other into wedlock by way of fraud, duress or force attributable to the other party and no subsequent cohabitation ensued after becoming aware of the fraud.
Who can seek the annulment of nuptials?
Either party to the union can seek nullification of the marriage. Until a court issues a decree of annulment, the marriage remains valid.
If any of these situations apply to your marriage, your union could be eligible for annulment.
