Nullity

Lawyers Handling Annulments in Fresno County

Dissolution of a marriage terminates marital status. Nullity or an annulment means the marriage never existed. This aspect of family law is complex, requiring the type of experienced representation that we provide at Lerandeau & Lerandeau, Attorneys at Law, in Fresno, California.

Annulments Voiding a Marriage

If a marriage is invalid from the outset, then it never legally existed in the first place. A marriage can be invalid from its inception because of problems with statutory formalization related to the marriage license, solemnization, or authentication. Additional reasons for the invalidation of a marriage include:

• Marrying a relative (incest)
• Entering into a marriage when you are already legally married (bigamy)
• Marrying someone who is physically or mentally incapable of entering into a marriage
• Marrying someone under the age of consent (under 18)
• Entering into a marriage deceitfully (fraud)

Annulments Resulting From Fraud

Entering into a marriage deceitfully is grounds for an annulment. One example of fraud is when sterility or pregnancy that was not known prior to the marriage is discovered after the ceremony. Denying sexual relationships or an unwillingness to have children when that was previously promised is also a form of fraud. In addition, a fraudulent marriage, entered in order for someone from another country to secure a green card, can be annulled. Discovering a past criminal record or fugitive status could also lead to an annulment of the marriage.

Handling Your Annulment Case

At Lerandeau & Lerandeau, Attorneys at Law, we represent clients who were tricked into marriage by deceit or fraud and who are seeking to erase the union from their legal record. Going through the process of obtaining an annulment can be more emotional than a divorce. We will handle the case delicately and efficiently to hold the fraudulent spouse accountable and terminate the marriage. Our firm focuses on family law and family law only. That focus has given us the knowledge about the grounds to annul a marriage and the experience to aggressively represent our clients.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with an experienced attorney regarding an annulment, please contact us.