annulment When a marriage comes to an end, deciding whether an annulment, separation or divorce is the right choice can be difficult. In this article, we will discuss each option in turn, so you can begin to get an idea of what may be the best way forward for you, before your appointment with a solicitor. What is an annulment? An annulment is a way of bringing a marriage to an end. While a divorce can only be applied for after one year of marriage, an annulment can be applied for within the first year of marriage. In what circumstances can a marriage be annulled? In order to annul a marriage, you may need to show that it was never legally valid, or ‘void’. This could occur if, for example, you and your spouse were under 16 years old when you married or you or your spouse were already married when you married. In these circumstances, the marriage never legally existed. Alternatively, you can show that the marriage was in fact legally valid but is ‘voidable’. Reasons for this...