FAQ What is the difference between a divorce and an annulment?

An annulment is a legal procedure that invalidates and legally erases a marriage. This is in contrast to a divorce which simply dissolves a marriage.

An annulment typically occurs if the marriage breaks religious or state rules, depending on the type of marriage. Grounds for an annulment will vary depending on your country of residence, religion and other case-by-case factors.

Reasons for getting an annulment may include the following:

• Bigamy
• Forced consent
• Fraud
• Incest
• Mental illness or incapacity
• Inability to consummate the marriage
• Underage marriage

Either party can initiate an annulment, but they must have sufficient evidence for a case.

A divorce, on the other hand, returns each member of a couple back to being single, but the marriage is still legally recognised as having happened.

If you would like to arrange an initial fixed fee consultation regarding divorce proceedings, you can get in touch with us today for a confidential discussion and we’ll be happy to help. Our offices are conveniently based in Harrow, London, with on site car parking and accessible from public transport links. Alternatively, if you are overseas we can arrange a Skype call with you if it is more convenient.