Are you or a loved one looking to get out of a marriage or domestic partnership, but not sure whether to seek a divorce or an annulment? If so, you should know that divorces and annulments are completely different. The basic premise behind a divorce is in complete contrast to that of an annulment.

The divorce process presumes that the marriage or domestic partnership was valid to begin with. In contrast, the annulment process presumes that the marriage or domestic partnership was invalid. Thus, under Family Code Section 2310, a divorce will terminate a “valid marriage or domestic partnership on grounds arising after its inception.” On the other hand, under Family Code Section 300-306, an annulment determines that “for reasons exiting at the alleged creation of the marriage or domestic partnership, no valid marriage or domestic partnership was ever established.” Thus, the marriage or domestic partnership shall be void.

We hope this provides you with some basic insight into the difference between a divorce and an annulment. If you or a loved one needs assistance with either a divorce or an annulment, or with any other family law issue please call Wallin and Klarich at any time! Wallin and Klarich has been in the business of helping people with their family law matters for over 30 years and we would like to help you with yours! Call Wallin and Klarich today as we have a team of highly skilled family law attorneys ready to take your call 7 days week, 24 hours a day!