Columbus Annulment Attorneys Near You
Under special circumstances, when a person wants to end a marriage soon after the ceremony, he or she may consider filing for an annulment in Ohio instead of a divorce or dissolution of marriage. In the state of Ohio, annulment details a complete deletion of a marriage, as if the marriage was never considered to have happened.
Going through a legal separation of marriage can be difficult to maneuver, as several consequences of the case could last a lifetime. Emotionally and practically, there is a lot of weight behind a court’s decision in the matter. Filing for an annulment or divorce can be a monumental decision in one’s life.
With the help of an experienced family law attorney, someone facing the uphill battle of a legal separation can be saved a lifetime’s worth of stress and legal ramifications.
Jump to Specific Info About Annulments in Ohio
- Annulment vs Divorce: What’s The Difference?
- Requirments to Qualify for Annulment in Ohio
- Cost of an Annulment in Ohio
- How Long Do I Have to File for an Annulment in Ohio?
- How Long Does the Annulment Process Take in Ohio?
- Annulment Ohio Revised Code
- Contact an Annulment Attorney in Columbus for a Free Consultation
Why You Need an Attorney for Annulments in Columbus, Ohio
If you or a loved one are considering an annulment, you’re probably looking for the best annulment attorney in Ohio to make sure you file the right paperwork in a way that will give you the best opportunity for a successful outcome. And if the case goes to trial (ex. a voidable marriage), you’ll want an experienced annulment lawyer in Ohio to properly represent you in Ohio’s court of common pleas. Not sure if you want an annulment or divorce? Our experienced divorce lawyers near you can answer your questions about the pros and cons of an annulment versus a divorce.
The lawyers at Joslyn Law Firm have represented plenty of people who have never undergone any sort of court proceedings and now are faced with an annulment or a divorce. These can be very difficult and confusing times; do not let yourself be misrepresented.
The consequences of a family law case can last a lifetime. If you need an experienced family law attorney around the Columbus area or in any one of these following counties: Franklin County, Delaware County, Fairfield County, Pickaway County, or Licking County; contact Joslyn Law Firm for legal advice today.
Joslyn Law Firm will hear your case. Contact us for a free consultation.
Divorce vs Annulment in Ohio: What Is the Difference Between a Legal Annulment and Divorce?
What is annulment in Ohio?
The most common definition of an annulment is when the courts mandate that the marriage officially never took place and has been entirely voided or terminated. Thus, an annulled marriage is treated as if it never existed. A divorce on the other hand means the court and the state of Ohio recognize the legal marriage, and now sanction the legal termination of that marriage.
Many clients ask “why an annulment is better than a divorce?” The answer can be summed up easily in there are typically fewer issues to deal with compared to a divorce. The parties in the annulment will typically not have to have the court deal with dividing property, custody of children, and distribution of equity.
Ohio Annulment Requirements: How To Know If You Qualify for Annulment in Ohio
However, not all marriage cases qualify for an annulment. To qualify for an annulment in Columbus and all of Ohio, you must meet one of the following conditions and be able to prove it in court:
- The party seeking annulment was under the age of legal marriage established by section 3101.01, and after attaining such age did not cohabitate with other as husband or wife;
- Either party had, at the time of marriage, a legal, living husband or wife;
- Either party had been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent, and after being restored to competent mentally faculties did not cohabitate with other as husband or wife;
- The consent of either party was obtained fraudulently without full knowledge at any time while living as cohabitants;
- The consent of marriage was obtained by force, unless such party afterwards cohabited as husband or wife;
- The marriage was never consummated between the parties
Not sure if you should petition for an annulment or get a divorce? Contact us for a free consultation.
How Much Does It Cost To File for an Annulment in Ohio?
In Franklin County and Columbus, court filing fees for an annulment are $175.00, according to the Franklin County Clerk of Courts domestic relations division fee schedule. This fee is different in other counties of Ohio. For instance, the fee for annulment in Cuyahoga County (Cleavland Ohio) is $150.00. When working with an annulment attorney in Ohio, there will be an additional fee to pay for the lawyer’s time and effort in making the annulment process smooth and stress-free. Attempting to annul a marriage can be difficult without an experienced attorney. These can still be grounds for divorce, but if someone wants to have a marriage voided completely by the state, it is imperative to act in a quick and decisive manner.
Considering a marriage annulment? Contact us for a free consultation.
How Long Do I Have to File for an Annulment in Ohio?
According to the Ohio Bar, the typical time frame you have to file for an annulment is within 2 years of the date of the marriage. This timeframe applies to most of the circumstances that may lead to an annulment in the state of Ohio. For example, if someone has been forced into a marriage, he or she has to file the petition to annul the marriage before two years have passed.
In some cases, the timeframe to annul a marriage is extended beyond the 2 years. For instance, if someone has found out about a partner’s prior marriage that had never been legally disbanded AFTER over two years of marriage, and they wish to seek an annulment, they can still legally do so. In this case, the party who wants the annulment must do so before their current spouse dies.
How Long Does the Ohio Annulment Process Take?
Typically, an annulment is faster than a divorce in that it will more quickly dissolve a marriage as there tend to be fewer issues to deal with. The average time for an annulment case can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This time frame depends on a number of factors including how much information you provide upfront to alleviate the annulment investigation process. Working with an experienced annulment lawyer in Columbus will help make the time it takes for an annulment to be mandated in court shorter than if you were to do it yourself.
Contact us for a free consultation.
Annulment Ohio Revised Code
Ohio Revised Code | 3105.31 – LAWriter, the official website for Ohio’s Law and Rules, details the state’s codes for the public. Learn more about divorce and annulment and when an annulment may be allowed by the court of common pleas.
Contact an Annulment Lawyer Near You in Columbus and Near Franklin County, Ohio
A separation of marriage is not an easy process for most. It can change a person’s life entirely, limiting time to spend with one’s children, and dictating how one spends his or hers finances.
If you want an experienced family law attorney with years of experience in divorce and annulment suits, call Joslyn Law Firm. If you or a loved one are seeking or annulment or have been blindsided by an annulment case in the Columbus, Ohio Area contact Joslyn Law Firm today.
Joslyn Law Firm practices family law in the Franklin County, and in the county seats of Delaware County at Delaware; Pickaway County at Circleville; Madison County at London; Licking County at Newark; and Fairfield County at Lancaster.
Do not let yourself fall victim and fight for what is fair. Call Joslyn Law Firm today at (614) 420-2424 or email us for a free consultation today.
This page was last updated by Brian Joslyn
This article was last updated on September 22, 2021.