5 reasons to file for an annulment in Texas

When most people think about getting a divorce, they automatically think of the state of Texas. After all, Texas is well-known for being a no-nonsense state when it comes to family law. But did you know that Texas also offers annulments? An annulment is a much rarer occurrence than a divorce, but there are some instances in which it may be the best option. Some of the most common reasons to file for an annulment include bigamy, fraud, mental incapacity and underage marriages.

In this article we will provide you 5 most common reasons to file an annulment in Texas

1. Bigamy

When most people think of bigamy, they think of people who have multiple spouses. But bigamy can also refer to when one spouse is already married to someone else at the time of the marriage in question. If you are considering a Texas annulment and you believe that bigamy is one of the reasons why your marriage should be annulled, you will need to provide evidence to support your claim. This could include proof that you had no knowledge of your spouse's existing marriage, or proof that your spouse deceived you into believing that their prior marriage had been legally dissolved.

2. Fraud

Fraud is another common reason for filing for an annulment. Fraud can take many different forms, but some of the most common types of fraud in marriages include: 

- One spouse lied about their age or identity

- One spouse lied about being able to have children

- One spouse lied about their financial status

- One spouse tricked the other into marrying them under false pretenses

If you can provide evidence that one of these types of fraud occurred during your marriage, you may be able to get an annulment.

3. Mental Incapacity

Mental incapacity can be a valid reason for getting an annulment, but it can be difficult to prove. In order for mental incapacity to be used as a grounds for annulment, you will need to provide evidence that your spouse was not of sound mind at the time of the marriage and that they were unable to understand the nature and consequences of the marriage. This could include medical records or testimony from witnesses who saw your spouse exhibit signs of mental illness before or during the marriage.

4. Underage Marriage

If one spouse was under the age of 18 at the time of the marriage, they may be able to get an annulment on the grounds of being underage. In order to get an annulment based on this reason, you will need to provide proof that you were underage at the time of the marriage. This could include a copy of your birth certificate or other government-issued ID.

5. Incest

Incest is another grounds for annulment in Texas. Incest refers to marriages between family members who are too closely related to each other. In order for incest to be used as a reason for annulment, you will need to provide evidence that you and your spouse are related to each other. This could include a copy of your birth certificate or other government-issued ID showing that you are siblings, cousins, or otherwise related to each other.

 

If you are considering filing for an annulment in Texas, these are some of the most common reasons why people choose to do so. While annulments are relatively rare, there are some instances in which they may be the best option. If you believe that one of these reasons applies to your situation, you should speak to an experienced family law attorney who can help you determine whether or not an annulment is right for you.