Can you request spousal support in a Tennessee annulment?

A Germantown spousal support lawyer can be helpful if you are considering an annulment. An annulment can only be granted in certain situations, such as in cases of fraud or an inability to consummate the marriage. In some states, you can request spousal support in an annulment, but not in Tennessee.

The rules regarding an annulment in Tennessee are strict. A divorce dissolves a marriage, whereas an annulment makes it so the marriage never existed. Since the marriage never took place, you were never a spouse and therefore you would not be able to request spousal support. What’s more, an annulment restores property rights to where they were previously, and you lose all rights to inheritances.

In cases where the marriage lasted a longer period of time or when children or complex property issues are involved, it may be to your benefit to file for a divorce instead. A Germantown spousal support lawyer can offer guidance regarding what is best in your case.

It’s important to note that an annulment does not mean that children born during the marriage will be illegitimate, nor does it remove either parent’s responsibility to the children. If this is the case, custody and support must be determined just as they would in a divorce.

An annulment is a legal process that can affect many areas of your life, not unlike divorce. While annulments typically arise after short marriages, the process of ending the marriage may be difficult for some, both legally and emotionally.

To learn more, see What Are the Requirements for Annulment in Tennessee?