Understanding Annulments: Void & Voidable Marriages
Today I want to talk about annulments and the difference between void and voidable marriages. Hi, I’m Clint Hastings, a Tulsa men’s divorce attorney here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Void marriages are marriages that were never valid to begin with. Voidable marriages, on the other hand, are marriages that were initially valid but may later be undone by the court at the request of the wronged party.
For example, a voidable marriage might occur if your spouse committed fraud—say, by claiming she was pregnant with your child, only for you to discover later that she wasn’t pregnant or that the child wasn’t yours. In that case, you may have the option to seek an annulment and have the marriage declared void, but only if you act within a reasonable timeframe. If you continue living with your spouse for a long period after discovering the truth, the court will likely find that you accepted the marriage, and you won’t be able to void it later.
Differentiating Void and Voidable Marriages
A void marriage, by contrast, is one that was never legally valid from the start—for instance, if your spouse was already married to someone else at the time. In that case, the marriage is automatically invalid, and it isn’t a matter of personal choice or timing.
There are many specific scenarios where these distinctions matter, and it’s important to talk with your attorney to determine whether your situation qualifies for an annulment. The key takeaway is: don’t wait. The longer you delay, the harder it becomes to pursue that option.
Consultation for Your Annulment Case
Let us know if you have questions about this topic, and we’ll be glad to discuss your situation and guide you through the process. Contact Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings today at 918-962-0900 for a low-cost consultation.
