Thinking about seeking an annulment?
"It was a mistake."
"We never should have gotten married."
"Can I just erase this whole thing?"
If you’re feeling that way, you’re not alone.
But when it comes to the question of whether you are entitled to an annulment or whether you must divorce to end the marriage, New Jersey law doesn’t care how short the marriage was.
It cares why it happened — and what you were told (ie, were you defrauded in a significant way somehow).
I’m New Jersey family lawyer Steve Kaplan.
Before you file anything, let’s clear up the confusion about annulment and analyze what your real options are.
Julie’s Story (Not Her Real Name)
Julie came to me after 7 months of marriage.
"I don’t love George," she said.
"It was a whirlwind. We rushed into it. I want an annulment."
But here’s what I had to tell her:
That’s not how it works in New Jersey.
Annulments aren’t granted just because the marriage was short, or because you had second thoughts.
Unless there's a legal ground, you’ll likely need a divorce.
Julie didn’t qualify for an annulment, (but we still created a smart, low-conflict plan to end the marriage quickly and protect her finances.)
What’s the Difference Between Annulment and Divorce?
Divorce ends a valid marriage.
Annulment says the marriage was never valid to begin with.
But here’s the kicker:
You can’t just say “this was a mistake” and expect an annulment.
You need legal grounds.
And most people don’t have them.
What Doesn’t Count (Even If It Feels Huge):
- “She lied about her age”
- “We rushed into it”
- “We realized we’re incompatible”
These allegations don’t qualify in court for an annulment.
- Fraud that goes to the core of the marriage
- Hidden infertility after promising to have kids
- Mental incapacity at the time of the wedding
- Bigamy — one person was already married
- Underage marriage not confirmed at 18
- Marriage between close relatives
- Marriage by force, duress, or severe intoxication
These are rare.
But if your situation matches one of them, you may qualify.
Don’t Guess. Get the Right Strategy.
If a judge won’t annul the marriage, you may still file for divorce.
And how you start that process matters more than you think.
That’s part of the reason that I created Steve Kaplan’s Divorce Course, a free email guide that shows you how to:
- Protect your finances and future
- Make smarter decisions before filing anything
- Avoid the most common legal traps people fall into
- Get clarity fast — without pressure
100% confidential.
Start the Course Now — and Know Where You Stand
Whether your marriage lasted 50 days or 50 years, the legal system has rules — and I’ll help you navigate them smartly.
Join the thousands of New Jersey residents who’ve used my course to protect themselves, their families, and their futures.
Enter your email on this page to begin the course now.
I'm looking forward to helping you,
— Steve Kaplan
