Can You Get An Annulment After 10 Years Of Marriage?

An annulment is one option couples have to ultimately terminate their marriage. There is typically no time period (for example, 10 years) following a marriage by which an annulment must be sought. Some factors, however, may make obtaining an annulment sooner rather than later a good idea. The longer one or both parties wait to petition for an annulment, the more convoluted it can become to resolve all matters.

Annulments In Arizona

Under Arizona law, there is a list of “void and prohibited marriages.” Any marriage that falls in this category is not recognized by the state as valid. Arizona prohibits marriage between parents and children, between grandparents and grandchildren, between whole or half-blood brothers and sisters, between first cousins (but only under certain conditions), and between uncles or aunts and nieces and nephews. Same sex marriage was also once considered “void and prohibited”. However, recent Supreme Court rulings have changed that. Same sex marriage is now legal and the law of the land.

There are other reasons a spouse can request an annulment, such as fraud, deception, coercion, intoxication (when getting married), underage marriages without parental consent, mental illness, “mock” marriages, inability to consummate the marriage, bigamy, and incest. To know for sure if your marriage can be annulled, get family law help in Scottsdale.

If the couple has children, the annulment proceedings will determine which party should be responsible for the children. The court may not recognize certain property as “marital assets” if the marriage is considered void. You should contact a lawyer with specifics to find out how annulment proceedings may affect children or assets. Annulment compared to divorce can generate a significantly different outcome in property allocations in any divorce or annulment scenario.

What Is The Time Limit For An Annulment?

As stated above, there is generally no time limit to petition for an annulment following a marriage. A party that leads the action for annulment later may have a more difficult time providing proof. Yes, it is possible to get an annulment even after 10 years of marriage, but the process becomes more convoluted as time goes on.

How To File For Annulment

Follow these steps to properly file for an annulment in the state of Arizona.

Step 1. Wait 90 Days

Make sure that Arizona has jurisdiction over your annulment proceedings. In order for the State of Arizona to have jurisdiction, you or your spouse are required to live in Arizona for a minimum of 90 days before you file for annulment.

Step 2. Obtain an Annulment Petition

Obtain a Petition for Annulment of Marriage form from your nearby superior court. In some Arizona counties, the form can also be found on the court’s website. If you’re not sure about what court is your nearby superior court, get in touch with the bar association in your city or town for more information.

Annulment Without Children

Consent Decree Annulment

Step 3. Complete the Annulment Petition

Once you have it complete the Petition for Annulment of Marriage form. This petition can be completed by either of you. As soon as you complete the petition, supply the requested information about you and your purported spouse, including your full name and your mailing address. Describe to the court why you are petitioning an annulment and the legal grounds for filing the annulment in the section entitled, “Other Statements to the Court.”

Step 4. File the Annulment Petition

File the petition in the proper superior court. You need to file the petition with the clerk of the superior court in the county in which either of you lives. When you file, you will have to pay a filing fee to the superior court’s clerk. This fee will vary by county.

Step 5. Serve the Filed Petition

Serve your spouse, usually called the respondent, with a copy of the petition you filed. Carefully follow the guidelines provided to you or instructions included with the petition and other annulment forms given to you by the courthouse. This will ensure your spouse receives the notice of the pending action.

Step 6. Wait for your Spouse to Respond

Wait the required time to allow your spouse to respond. 20 days is the amount of time the respondent has to reply to the petition. Your spouse may want to dispute the petition. If they do no respond within 20 days, they lose their right to challenge the requested annulment.

Step 7. Review the Courts Letter to Find your Hearing Date

Review the court’s letter listing the date/time of your annulment hearing. You will receive a letter from the court with your annulment hearing date and time. Didn’t receive a letter? Court didn’t schedule a hearing? You can contact the court to make sure your letter will be sent and that your hearing is scheduled.

Step 8. Attend your Annulment Hearing

Make sure you attend your marriage annulment hearing. At the annulment hearing, the court will decide whether you have enough evidence or not to grant an annulment. The court will evaluate your evidence and testimony, and either deny or grant your request for an annulment. Their may also be an additional hearing to divide assets and determine child custody, if needed.

Source:

Stock, Elizabeth. “How to Get an Annulment in Arizona.” LegalZoom Legal Info, 21 Nov. 2017, info.legalzoom.com/annulment-arizona-23724.html.