While ending a marriage is probably one of the hardest decision that anyone can face, it is extremely important to have the right guidance during this process from the very beginning.

Even if you are just considering whether or not you should get an annulment or not, knowledgeable and truthful legal advice can help you avoid costly and irreparable mistakes. No other mean can replace the value of proper legal advice from a qualified lawyer who has understood the specifics of your situation and who can give you counsel based on what you are trying to achieve.

There are many steps to be taken in order to dissolve a marriage, as well as multiple forms to approach this process depending on your circumstances and whether your partner would like to cooperate or not. In addition, the specifics of the relationship such as the length of the union, the presence of children amongst others, can greatly affect what avenue should you take.

Annulment of a marriage is never easy but we can help you do it right.

 

Phoenix and Arizona Annulment

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“Once you do embark upon the annulment process, it is very important to remember three key things: Be kind, be reasonable, be brief. Remember that this person will no longer be your spouse, but he or she will continue to be your co-parent, family member, and perhaps a business partner in certain assets or entities.”
Laura Wasser

There are limited grounds for annulment [A.R.S. §§ 25-301 and 25-302] and that the Judge will decide at your hearing or trial whether the grounds you state in your petition are legal grounds for annulment. Please note that The Arizona statutory definition of Annulment (A.R.S. § 25-301) is not the same as annulment mandated by certain religions. Please remember to contact an Attorney if you are unsure whether an annulment is right for your
situation.

You may follow all the correct procedures and get all the way to your Court hearing, only to find the Judge does not find legal grounds for an annulment.

If that happens, you may have to file additional forms for a divorce/dissolution instead. You could save time and money to find legal advice before you begin the annulment paperwork.

Phoenix and Arizona Grounds for Annulment

You must meet at least one of the following reason for requesting the Court grant you the annulment:

• Absence of Mental Capacity
• Refusal of Intercourse
• Absence of Physical Capacity
• Secret Attempt not to Abide by
• Absence of a Valid Marriage License
• Antenuptial Agreement
• Blood Relationship
• Underage
• Concealment of prior Marital Status
• Undissolved Prior Marriage
• Duress
• Fraud
• Lack of Contractual Intent
• Misrepresentation as to Religion
• Proxy Marriage

If you are unsure about the meaning of any of the listed reasons, please
consult A.R.S. §§ 25-301, 302, or an attorney.

Types of Annulment

• Uncontested Annulment: Both parties reach an agreement as to all the issues, and submit a response or Consent Decree of Annulment of Marriage to the Court, that sets forth all of their agreements for the judge to sign

 

• Contested Annulment: When the spouses cannot agree to an annulment, a conciliation meeting can be requested for both parties to attend. There is a hold on the legal process for up to 60 days while that meeting takes place. If at the meeting any of the parties wants to continue with the annulment,  the annulment goes forward. If the spouses still cannot reach an agreement it may be necessary to take the case to trial where a judge will decide for them. In this case, the parties must then request a trial in order to conclude their annulment.The procedure for requesting a trial varies from county to county. In the event of a contested annulment, the parties should seek the advice of an attorney if they have not already done so.

 

Annulment, Children and Finances

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Finances and children are usually the most stressful topics to resolve when a marriage is ending. With our team of expert lawyers, we can help make this process less stressful as you are guided by a team who is reputable, experienced and highly knowledgeable.

Even if you are just considering the possibility of ending your marriage, please seek the proper legal advice. Following the recommendations made by a professional in family law can greatly help you steer away from turmoil and have a smooth as possible annulment process from start to finish.

In Arizona, unlike a divorce process were there is no need to prove grounds for a divorce and all assets get divided 50%/50% in most cases; several circumstances must be met in order to be eligible for an annulment of a marriage:

– One of the parties entered the marriage under false pretenses.
– The marriage was not consummated.

In an annulment, usually the claims over financial assets consist of:

• Properties
• A lump sum of money
• Transferring assets
• Maintenance
• Pensions
• Any other assets.

 

If you are getting an annulment, a divorce or separated you should also update your Will if you have one.

 

When it comes to getting advice about an annulment and finances, our expert team of annulment attorneys can assist and guide you to make sure that you understand and are aware of what you are entitled to and there is also full and relevant financial disclosure of the value of all assets (including business interests, pensions, bank accounts, business shares, investments and others) in order to preserve these if the annulment is granted. Such financial claims can also include any relevant children.

 

Financial Disclosure

 

A financial disclosure is often needed in order to decide how to maintain the spouses’ finances and arrive at an annulment. This means that all of the relevant assets (including business interests), liabilities, income, outgoings, and pension provisions are disclosed by the spouses with documents that support them. In addition, any relevant taxation or risk issues also need to be taken into account.

On some occasions, a valuation from an appointed professional may be needed as evidence. This commonly relates to the family home, a spouses’ or couple’s business, investments, pension and so on.

Annulment and Finances

 

An annulment means that the marriage never took place and therefore there is no need for a settlement. Each party will maintain their properties and finances just as they were not married. However, special consideration are made if there are children or the wife is pregnant.

 

Arizona Annulment Process

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The steps below summarize the different stages of the annulment procedure in the state of Arizona with a brief overview of what each step entitles.

In order to file for an Annulment in Arizona you must meet the 90 Day Residency Requirement: this means that you or your spouse has lived in Arizona at least 90 days before you file the petition.

 

Step 1: Filling Out and Preparing the Annulment Forms

 

In order for an annulment proceeding to take place in Arizona, either one of the spouses must be a resident of Arizona for at least 90 days before filing for an annulment in Arizona (a. A.R.S. 25-312). The required forms and fees may vary slightly from county to county.

The spouse seeking an annulment should file the Petition for Annulment in the Superior Court of the county where he or she resides. This spouse is called the Petitioner, while the other spouse is called the respondent, and who will be served with the annulment papers.

Before filing for an annulment, the petitioner must select the packet to be completed depending on whether or not there are children in the marriage and fill out the corresponding forms to the best of their abilities.

 

Step 2: Filing the Annulment Petition Paperwork with an Arizona Court

 

Before filing the papers to the clerk of the courts, the petitioner should make two copies of all documents – one for the respondent, and one to keep. The original packet goes out to the court.

The petitioner must pay a fee for filing unless he or she completes the Application for Deferral of Filing Fee, which will be reviewed by the court. If the court agrees that the fee should be waived because the petitioner cannot afford it, he or she does not have to pay to file the annulment papers.

The petitioner then proceeds to sign the complaint in the presence of the clerk of court who date- and time-stamps the annulment papers and notarizes. The papers should be served on the respondent as soon as possible after filing.

 

Step 3: Serving the Documents to the Respondent

 

After filing for an annulment at the Superior Court of the County, the petitioner should try to immediately serve the respondent with the annulment papers. This action is called the Service of process, and it ensures that the other spouse receives notice of the petition for an annulment from their spouse and is given the opportunity to appear, argue or refuse this petition. The service of process ensures that both parties are aware of the process and that their side of the story is heard too.

The state of Arizona gives the petitioner a maximum of 120 days to serve the annulment papers on the respondent. Failure to do this means the clerk of court will automatically dismiss the case, and the petitioner who wants to get an annulment will have to start the process all over again.

After being served, the respondent must respond to the summons and petition within 20 days (or, if he or she lives out of state, 30 days) or the court will award the petitioner with a default judgment. A default judgment means that the court gives the petitioner everything requested by the petitioner, without any input from the respondent.

 

Step 4: Disclosing Financial Information

 

Both the petitioner and the respondent must complete an Affidavit of Financial Information, which is a statement sworn in front of a notary. This document outlines the complete details of each spouse’s financial picture and it covers information about employment, assets, taxes, liabilities and monthly expenses. Supporting documentation must be attached such as bank statements, pay stubs and tax returns. This document is also filed with the court and served to the respondent as well.

Step 5: Finalizing the Annulment

 

After the respondent is served with the Petition for Annulment of Marriage, there will be a mandatory 60-day “cooling off” period before the annulment procedure continues and is finalized. It is not possible to get an annulment in Arizona any faster even if both spouses completely agree.

If the parties do not agree on the annulment, a trial will be set. Depending on the county, these proceedings could take as long as six to nine months before an annulment can be finalized. Once an annulment is granted by the court, it must be signed off by a judge. This Order is made at the direction of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. This Order has the same force and effect as any order signed by the judge. You and your spouse must obey this Order. This Order may be enforced by any remedy available under the law, including an “Order of Contempt of Court.” If you have any questions, you should contact a lawyer for help.

 

Additional Issues in Annulment Cases

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Video Courtesy of the Arizona Superior Court

• High Net Worth Annulment
• Inmigration Fraud
• Children or pregnant wife
• Falsehood when entering a marriage<a/strong>
• Marriage not consumated

How We Approach Annulments in Arizona

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We are a specialist family, divorce, separation and annulment law firm and leaders in this field. This is reflected by the many independent legal directories awards that our firm has received as well by the strong track record of our partners. When the time comes to make legal decisions that will affect your future, Collins & Collins. L.L.P. will focus on your needs and goals and will represent you aggressively, fairly, ethically and competently. Collins & Collins L.L.P. has a reputation for competence and dedication to the needs of our clients.

At Collins & Collins, L.L.P., we are experts at practicing family law. We understand that every case if different and that our clients have options when it comes to annulment. While in some cases tough and aggressive representation may be necessary, in others, mediation may be the best option.

Additionally to the emotional turmoil related to the process of an annulment, you may have many questions about the annulment process that we can help you answer with certainty such as:

 

• How can I get an annulment in Arizona?
• What will happen to the children?
• How can the property and finances be restored as they were before the marriage?
• Is an annulment right option for me?
• What can I do if my partner does not want an annulment?
• How can I reduce costs in my annulment?
• How long will an annulment take?
• What am I entitled to?
• What can I expect during an annulment in Arizona?
• Should I update my Will?

Often an annulment legal situation does not end with an agreement or court order; as situations change, adjustments may need to be made to accommodate those changes. Therefore, our representation does not end at the negotiating table or in court. We stand beside you throughout the annulment legal process and afterward as you implement court orders and decisions.

Where court proceedings are necessary, our attorneys will robustly deal with the case to ensure the best possible outcome and aim to minimize the annulment financial cost. Please be aware that extra care needs to be taken in cases facing an international annulment.

You may have many more questions and it is highly likely that as time passes on new ones may arise. However, we are positive that we are the best annulment attorney phoenix for our clients who have expressed their satisfaction in our multiple testimonials.

 

Understanding the legal status of prenuptial agreements:

Prenuptial agreements are often used by couples who want to agree – before they marry or become civil partners – how they would divide their money, assets, and property, should they decide to get separate, divorced or get an annulment.

Over the last decade, there has been a surge in the number of Prenuptial agreements. However, courts will generally take them into account as one of the circumstances of the international annulment case and will give significant weight to them provided certain safeguards have been met. For example:

 

• The financial needs of the children are adequately taken care of.
• Both parties had taken legal advice on the implications of entering into the agreement before signing it.
• Whether they are treated as being legally enforceable.
• Establishing where you should get an annulment, separation, divorce or dissolve your marriage or civil partnership.

 

It’s normally a better idea to take advice from a lawyer who specializes and has experience in annulment cases and marriage dissolution. But be aware that this will make it much harder to reach an amicable agreement with your ex-partner.

 

Pros of first taking legal advice from a Phoenix, Arizona Annulment Lawyer:

You should seek legal advice from specialist family law attorney. It is recommended that you do this before negotiating with your ex-partner or before exploring mediation with them. This is because the risk of losing control of where you decide to start annulment proceedings can have serious implications.

We are Experts Attorneys at International Annulment

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An annulment is a legal process that can be lengthy and expensive if not handled properly. This is especially true when one of the parties refuses to cooperate. This situation can be aggravated by the fact that more and more people from different countries or different nationalities get married making the annulment process even more complex.

Decisions in an International Annulment regarding topics such as asset division, jurisdiction, child relocation become even more complicated and need special knowledge and expertise in order to abide by local, US and international laws and regulations. Failing to do this can have devastating repercussions that may affect greatly your future and that of your loved ones.

 

At Collins & Collins, we specialize in international family law and have had a vast experience in this field with successful outcomes for our clients. We understand the importance of making the knowledgeable and speedy actions.

 

Issues that commonly arise in an international annulment are:

 

• • Annulment Jurisdiction: where an annulment should take place and the rules that govern it.
  • Financial Outcome: making sure that your assets are protected and recognized properly in an international annulment.
  • Relocation of Children: getting proper permission to relocate overseas.
  • Child Abduction: what to do if your child is taken without your knowledge or consent.

What You can Expect from our Law Firm

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We are a family law firm in Arizona with offices in Phoenix and Payson. We have worked with several embassies and consulates as well as clients from all over the world to help them resolve their international annulment case.

At Collins & Collins, L.L.P we are selective when it comes to the cases that we take on. The reason? Simple, we want to make sure that we are able to provide or clients the best possible legal representation that we can provide in order to meet their demands and individual circumstances.

 

Our Annulment Attorney Fees

We understand that you may be fearful of the high costs of paying an annulment lawyer. We believe in offering excellent Annulment legal representation at a fair price. That is why you will find that we offer highly competitive attorney fees for all our legal practice areas.

Because we are a family firm we focus on what matters: practicing the law. This means that we don’t spend on costly advertising or fancy offices. We pride ourselves on doing our job and doing it right and that. Because of this, we are able to deliver high success rate and client satisfaction.

Annulment Lawyer Free Consultation

Our practice is not focused on volume, and since we are a family business, we are proud to keep it this way and we are able to promise to deliver the best possible representation to clients that we decide to take on with professionalism and the utmost respect towards them.

For local or international family law advice or to talk about your international annulment case, we invite you to make use of our annulment / international annulment lawyers in Phoenix AZ Free consultation, so that you can come and talk to one of our expert attorneys and start getting answers and advice.

 

Phoenix Office:  (602) 788-7227
Payson Office: (928) 363-8004

 

Servicing Phoenix, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Avondale, Gila Bend, Cave Creek, Chandler, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Glendale, Tempe, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Sun City and surrounding areas in  Arizona