What options are available to annul a marriage?
November 18, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Gerd Möller
Dear lawyer,
I am reaching out to you in my desperate situation and hope for your help. My name is Greta Schlattmann and I am facing the difficult decision to annul my marriage. My husband and I exchanged vows a year ago, but since then, numerous problems have arisen in our relationship.
My husband and I have realized that we do not agree on many important aspects of our lives and we argue more and more frequently. Additionally, it has come to light that my husband has been dishonest towards me and has withheld important information that would have influenced my decision to get married. This deception and dishonesty weigh heavily on me and I feel betrayed and manipulated.
I am deeply unhappy in this marriage and see no future for us as a couple. Therefore, I am wondering what options exist to annul my marriage. I want to know if annulment is even possible in my case and what steps I would need to take. Are there specific requirements that need to be met in order to annul a marriage? And what legal consequences would an annulment have for me?
I urgently ask for your advice and support as I am in an emotionally draining situation and do not know how to proceed. I am grateful for your professional guidance and help.
Sincerely,
Greta Schlattmann
Dear Mrs. Schlattmann,
I would like to thank you for your trust and openness regarding your difficult situation. Annulment of marriage is indeed a serious decision that should be carefully considered and legally supported. I will try to provide you with as detailed information as possible so that you can make an informed decision.
Legally speaking, annulment of marriage is the invalidation of the marriage, resulting in the marriage being declared null and void, as if it never legally existed. Unlike a divorce, where a valid marriage is dissolved, in annulment the marriage is retroactively declared invalid. This can be possible in certain cases, such as deception or impediments to marriage.
In your case, where you state that your husband was dishonest and withheld important information that would have influenced your decision to marry, this could be considered deception. Deception can be a ground for annulment if it is so serious that you would not have entered into the marriage if you had known the truth from the beginning.
To apply for annulment of marriage, you would need to take legal steps and file a petition with the family court. It is advisable to seek assistance from a specialized family law attorney to ensure that your interests are properly represented. There are specific requirements that must be met to annul a marriage, and it is important to carefully review them.
The legal consequences of annulment of marriage can vary depending on the case. It is advisable to seek individual advice to understand the exact implications on your personal situation.
I strongly recommend seeking legal advice and discussing your options with an experienced family law attorney. I am available to support you during this difficult time and assist you in clarifying your legal questions.
Sincerely,
Gerd Möller
Attorney specializing in Family Law
