When the glow of the wedding wears off, some couples realize they made a mistake and start looking for a way out of the marriage. Annulment is one option, but may not be the right one and the staff from We Help You Legal has some information that can be of assistance.
When a married couple finds themselves disillusioned, disappointed, and wondering how to get back to their carefree single lives they might wonder if an annulment is the way back, or is a divorce in the cards?
An annulment could be the answer under certain conditions such as:
- Incestuous marriage when the spouses are closely related by blood. California law prohibits marriages between close blood relatives.
- Bigamous marriage when one of the spouses was already married to someone else at the time of the current marriage.
- Age of consent when either party was under the age of 18 at the time of marriage and did not obtain parental consent.
- Mental incapacity when one of the spouses lacks the mental capacity to understand the nature of the marriage at the time of the ceremony.
- Under the influence when either party was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and unable to make informed decisions about the marriage.
- Fraud or deception when one party enters into the marriage based on fraud or deception. This could include misrepresentations regarding important issues such as identity, fertility, or intentions to have children.
- Force or duress when one of the spouses was forced or threatened into the marriage.
An annulment declares a marriage null and void. When the marriage meets the right conditions, either spouse can file for an annulment, however at least one spouse must be a resident of California at the time of the filing. It’s also possible to obtain an annulment without hiring an attorney, but the filing spouse needs to be sure that all of the documentation is completed correctly and filed on time. Many individuals choose to work with a legal document assistance service, such as We Help You Legal, for assistance with documentation for annulment or divorce in San Luis Obispo County or anywhere in California.
When an annulment isn’t possible, there are options for amicable divorce such as:
- Mediation, which can be a first step towards a non-contested divorce, enabling the couple to negotiate the terms of the divorce with a professional.
- Non-contested divorce is when both spouses agree to the terms of the divorce such as the division of community property, child custody, a visitation schedule for children, and spousal support. The amount of child support is determined by the court, but it might be possible for parents to agree to shared support when child custody is shared.
- Legal separation allows for some breathing room for the couple to work out and resolve certain matters before a divorce, or giving the marriage another try. The couple remains legally married during the separation.
- A summary dissolution is simpler than a non-contested divorce in that there is less paperwork to complete and court appearances are not required.
These options are valid choices for couples who wish to file for divorce themselves, without involving attorneys. Working with a Legal Document Assistant (LDA) is another option for couples who wish to divorce without involving attorneys.
A Legal Document Assistant (LDA) is an experienced professional who is authorized under California law to assist the public in preparing legal documents for consumers. An LDA is not an attorney, and cannot provide legal advice, or represent individuals in court, but they can assist with the legal documentation.
The LDAs with We Help You Legal are registered and bonded in San Luis Obispo County and assist with divorce documentation. The benefits from working with We Help You Legal include:
- The documentation is completed accurately.
- Documents are prepared on time so the filing spouse can get them to the court in plenty of time.
- Much less stress than juggling work schedules and other responsibilities with completing court forms.
- No concerns about missing critical filing dates.
We Help You Legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.
