Annulments vs. Divorces Case Study: Scott and Suzie’s Vegas Romance
*Scott and Suzie’s love story began in the glittering lights of Las Vegas, where they met during an unforgettable weekend getaway. After a whirlwind of blackjack, cocktails, and Elvis impersonators, they found themselves saying “I do” in an impromptu ceremony at a Little White Chapel.
But as the Vegas lights dimmed and reality set in, Suzie discovered a hidden side to Scott back in Utah. While unpacking their suitcases, Suzie discovered Scott’s secrets. Turns out, Scott had an undisclosed, shady financial history. Feeling deceived and betrayed, she found herself questioning their newfound relationship and whether she could trust Scott moving forward.
After seeking advice from trusted friends and family, Suzie decided to explore her legal options. Hearing that annulment might be the best course of action given the circumstances, she reached out to Christensen Law. With over 30 years of experience, our legal team knows how to navigate Vegas romances that have turned into legal nightmares.
In Utah, individuals seeking to dissolve their marriages have two primary options: annulment and divorce. While both processes result in the end of a marriage, there are significant differences between the two that are important to understand:
Annulment: Erasing the Marriage
An annulment is a legal proceeding that declares a marriage null and void, essentially treating it as if it never existed. Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage, an annulment renders the marriage invalid from its inception. Annulments are granted under circumstances where the marriage may have been illegal or where one of the spouses has been significantly dishonest or fraudulent about the marriage. Illegality can include lack of consent, underage marriage, bigamy, misuse of the marriage license, or other irregularities. Fraud or dishonesty about the marriage boils down to one spouse hiding or lying about significant information or intentions that would have resulted in the other spouse not going through with the marriage.
Divorce: Dissolving a Valid Marriage
Divorce is the legal process of ending a valid marriage. In Utah, divorce is available under “no-fault” grounds, meaning that couples can seek divorce without assigning blame to either party. Grounds for divorce in Utah include irreconcilable differences, which have caused the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
Key Similarities and Differences Between Annulments vs. Divorces
- Legal Effect: An annulment declares the marriage null and void, while divorce ends a valid marriage.
- Timing: The quickest possible annulment will take as long or longer than the quickest possible divorce. This is because judges usually hold hearings on annulments regardless of whether the annulment is contested. This type of hearing is usually scheduled at least one to three months in advance. On the other hand, judges do not usually hold hearings on uncontested divorces. Divorces do have a 30-day waiting period. However, that sometimes can be waived.
- Property Division and Support: In an annulment, property division and spousal support issues are handled the same as a divorce. However, the short duration of most annulled marriages typically results in a lack of significant marital property to divide and lack of good arguments for alimony.
- Children: Child custody and child support matters are treated the same way in annulment as they are treated in divorce or parentage cases.
Suzie’s Journey with Christensen Law
Upon meeting with our experienced family law attorneys, Suzie shared her concerns and provided details about the circumstances surrounding her marriage to Scott. We discussed the grounds for annulment, including fraud and misrepresentation, which seemed to align with Suzie’s situation. With our guidance, Suzie felt empowered to pursue legal action to dissolve her marriage to Scott and move forward with her life.
Throughout the annulment process, our team provided Suzie with personalized support, ensuring she understood each step of the legal proceedings and felt confident in her decisions. We assisted her in gathering evidence to support her case, including financial records and statements from witnesses who could attest to Scott’s deceit. In the end, Suzie’s perseverance paid off. With our representation, she was granted an annulment, officially nullifying her marriage to Scott.
Navigating the Legal Landscape with Christensen Law
Suzie’s story is just one example of the many individuals we’ve helped navigate the complexities of divorce and annulments. At Christensen Law, we understand that every case is unique, and we are committed to providing personalized guidance tailored to your needs and goals.
Whether you’re considering an annulment, divorce, or any other family law matter, our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through the process with compassion and expertise. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward resolving your family law matter with confidence.
* Please note: Suzie and Scott’s story is a fictional representation used for illustrative purposes.