Background

1B+

recovered for clients

300+

years of combined experience

500+

cases won

Why Choose CohenMalad, LLP for Your Family Law Case?

At CohenMalad, LLP, we pride ourselves on offering compassionate and personalized representation for individuals and families facing legal challenges. With decades of experience in family law, we understand the complexities of these cases and work tirelessly to protect our clients’ rights and interests.

Whether navigating a divorce, seeking custody of your children, or dealing with a sensitive family matter, our attorneys are here to provide clear, effective legal solutions.

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Indianapolis, IN Annulment Lawyer

A marriage can be annulled, or voided, for many reasons. Much like a divorce, an annulment ends the legal union of two people. In fact, an annulment makes a marriage invalid from its inception. It is a retroactive legal procedure that states that a marriage never occurred. Marriages can be annulled as long as certain conditions apply. Fraud or misrepresentation can be grounds for an annulment as well as duress (both physical and mental), mental disability, and bigamy to name a few other reasons.

Annulment v. Divorce

It is important to note that an annulment is not the same thing as a divorce. These two terms are not interchangeable. An annulment says “there never was a marriage.” A divorce says “this marriage is over.”

In order to claim that a marriage never happened, there are several conditions that must be met in the state of Indiana. If the petitioner was under the age of 18 or mentally incompetent, the marriage may be able to be annulled. Fraud from the non-petitioning party can also allow for an annulment to take place. Misrepresentation can be grounds for an annulment. This includes behavior such as using a false name, already being married to someone else, or any other false claim.

Legal Annulment v. Religious Annulment

Many people confuse a legal annulment with a religious annulment. In Indiana a legal annulment is a court process which, if approved, states that a marriage never took place. It returns both parties to their pre-marriage condition and does not require a division of marital property. Each person leaves the union with the assets that they brought into it—as if the marriage never happened.

A religious annulment has nothing to do with the state court system. Most often discussed in the Catholic church, a religious annulment is a declaration that the sacrament of marriage was invalid. In order for a church to approve a religious annulment, it will often first require the parishioner to obtain either a legal annulment or a divorce granted by the court system. Religious annulments are a process that is conducted solely by the church or institution where the parishioner is a member. For more information regarding the process required to obtain a religious annulment, ask your local church or parish.

Indianapolis Family Law Attorney – Indiana Annulment

The process of obtaining an annulment in the state of Indiana can be quite complex. An experienced Indianapolis annulment lawyer can best advise you of your legal rights and options. To discuss whether an annulment or divorce is right for you, contact us. Our Indianapolis family law attorneys can discuss the Indiana annulment procedure and help you determine the best method for terminating your marriage.

Take the First Step Toward Resolution

Contact CohenMalad, LLP, to receive dedicated and experienced legal support. Let us help you protect your family’s future.

Meet Our Family Law Team

The family law attorneys at CohenMalad, LLP are dedicated to helping families across Indianapolis navigate legal challenges with compassion and care. With years of experience and a commitment to achieving positive outcomes, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

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Secure Dedicated Support for Your Family’s Legal Needs

Let us guide you through your family law dispute with care and transparency. We are committed to achieving the best outcomes for our clients while minimizing conflict and stress.

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