Most People Don’t. Here’s Why.
Many people believe that if their marriage ended quickly, they automatically qualify for an annulment.
They don’t.
Annulment has nothing to do with how short your marriage was.
I regularly get calls that sound like this:
“Steve, we were only married for a few weeks. It didn’t work out. I want an annulment.”
And I have to tell them the truth:
Unless there was serious legal fraud or another recognized legal ground, you do not qualify for an annulment. Even a 10-day marriage still requires a divorce.
The Simple Difference Between Annulment and Divorce
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A divorce ends a valid marriage.
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An annulment means the Court declares that the marriage was never legally valid to begin with.
That is a very high legal bar.
What Kind of “Fraud” Actually Counts?
Not all lies qualify.
Lying about age, background, or finances usually is not enough.
To qualify for annulment, the fraud must go to the heart of the marriage contract.
Here is a classic example I learned in law school back in 1983:
A man promises his fiancée that he wants children. They marry.
After the wedding, he reveals that he has been sterile since age sixteen.
Now that is fraud that induced the marriage itself.
That type of deception may support an annulment.
Other Legal Grounds for Annulment in New Jersey
Under New Jersey law, annulments are granted only under specific circumstances, including:
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One party was already married (bigamy)
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The parties are too closely related by blood
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Physical and incurable impotence, unknown to the other spouse
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Mental incapacity, intoxication, duress, or extreme fraud
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Underage marriage without later legal confirmation
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Certain extreme cases recognized by equity courts
Even then, New Jersey courts apply these standards very strictly.
Bottom Line
Most people who ask about annulment do not qualify.
And filing the wrong type of case can cost you time, money, and legal leverage.
Whether your path is annulment or divorce, your biggest mistake would be filing before you understand how the process really works.
There’s a Lot More Free Help Where This Came From
I’ve specialized 
in New Jersey divorce law for 37 years, including annulments.
My firm has successfully represented over 5,000 clients across the state.
And I give away the exact education I wish every client had before they filed.
It’s called:
STEVE KAPLAN’S DIVORCE COURSE
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No charge
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No obligation
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No name required
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Any email address works
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One click to unsubscribe anytime
The course teaches you:
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How NJ divorce and annulment law really works
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How judges actually think
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How to protect your assets and your leverage
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How to avoid the mistakes that cost people tens of thousands of dollars
People I have never met email me regularly thanking me for making this helpful information available for free.
I’m confident that it will help you, too.
Are You Ready to Learn How to Protect Yourself?
The next move is yours.
Click below and start learning how to get the edge in your New Jersey divorce or annulment case.
Steve
Steven J. Kaplan, Esq.
Specializing In Divorce
Throughout New Jersey
5 Professional Circle
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
www.KaplanDivorce.com
(732) 845-9010
