An annulment is a declaration by the Court that a valid marriage never existed.

Though not usually as complex as the dissolution of a long-term marriage, many of the elements and steps required are similar, if not the same.  The end result, however, is quite different.  Legally speaking, after an annulment, the parties were never married.

Most annulments take place after a marriage of a very short duration -- a few weeks or months, so there are usually no assets or debts to divide, or children for whom custody, visitation and child support are a concern. When a long-term marriage is annulled, however, most states have provisions for dividing property and debts, as well as determining custody, visitation, child support and alimony. Children of an annulled marriage are not considered illegitimate.

For some people, divorce carries a stigma, and they would rather their marriage be annulled. Others want an annulment because it may make it possible for them to remarry within their faith.  In such instances, a religious annulment may also be required.  You will need to consult with your priest, rabbi, imam or minister if you have questions on that point.

Roman Catholics who seek to remarry after a civil divorce must obtain an annulment of their previous marriage in a church court known as a Decree of Nullity or forfeit the right to take communion.

Under traditional Jewish law, only men can initiate divorce. They can divorce their wives for little or no reason although provision in the "ketubah" (or marriage contract) do protect certain rights. Jewish women must obtain a "get", a bill of divorce, from their husbands. If they remarry without one, they are considered to be adulterous and children from the marriage are considered illegitimate and barred from some Jewish marriages. Although the process is relatively simple, many Jewish women find themselves "agunah" (literally, anchored) in a Jewish marriage if their husbands refuse to issue a get or if husbands have deserted them and cannot be found.

Islam also has complex religious laws governing divorce.  Generally speaking, Muslims do not recognize civil divorce or annulment.

An issue to consider in deciding whether to seek an annulment or a divorce is that, if there is an annulment, there can be no duty of spousal support ("maintenance" or "alimony") since the parties were "never married".

Kentucky law permits the annulment of a marriage only in certain very specific circumstances:

• If the marriage was obtained by force or fraud [KRS 402.030(1)]; OR
• If the parties are more closely related by blood than second cousins [KRS 402.010(1)] (considered incest in Kentucky);  OR
• If one of the parties has been adjudged mentally disabled by a court of competent jurisdiction [KRS 402.020(1)(a)]; OR
• If one of the parties has a husband or wife living, from whom the person marrying has not been divorced (a bigamist) [KRS 402.020(1)(b)]; OR
• If the subject marriage was not solemnized or contracted in the presence of an authorized person or society [KRS 402.020(1)](c)]; OR
• If one party was under eighteen (18) but over sixteen (16) years of age at the time of the marriage, and the marriage was without the consent required by KRS 402.020(1)(f) and has not been ratified by cohabitation after that age [KRS 402.030(2)]; OR
• If one party was under sixteen (16) years of age at the time of the marriage, if the marriage was not conducted with the permission of a District Judge as required by KRS 402.020(1)(f)(3) in the form of a written court order, and if the marriage has not been ratified by cohabitation after the person reached eighteen (18) years of age [KRS 403.030(3)].

Fraud is the most frequently cited basis for filing a Petition for Annulment.  Such an element would include: