Annulment Attorney
in Macomb County

Annulment vs. divorce: understanding the difference

While a divorce terminates a valid marriage, an annulment treats the marriage as if it never occurred. This is a significant legal distinction that is often sought for religious, personal, or financial reasons.

However, in Michigan, annulments are not granted simply because a marriage was short-lived. To be successful, you must prove specific legal grounds.

Under Michigan law, annulments are granted only when specific grounds exist, such as fraud, duress, underage marriage, bigamy, or mental incapacity. At the Law Offices of Julie A. Hlywa, we help you determine if you qualify and build a compelling case for the court.

Our office in Mount Clemens serves clients from Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Roseville, and communities throughout Macomb County seeking to have their marriage declared void or voidable.

It is a common myth that you can get an annulment just because you changed your mind after a few days. Michigan courts maintain a "presumption of validity" for all marriages.

Key facts to consider:

• No "buyer's remorse": Regretting the marriage or finding out your spouse isn't who you thought they were is generally not enough for an annulment; you would likely need to file for divorce instead.
• The "cohabitation" rule: If you discovered fraud or incapacity but continued to live together as a married couple, you may have "ratified" the marriage, making an annulment impossible.
• Physical incapacity deadline: Claims involving physical incapacity must typically be filed within two years of the marriage date.