What is an Annulment and How Does it Differ from a Divorce?

An annulment of the marriage means that it was null and void and is treated as if it never existed. An annulment is granted when there is an "impediment rendering the marriage void." Arizona Revised Statutes §25-301. Therefore, grounds for an annulment are required. The grounds must relate to an impediment to the marriage, such as that the spouses are related, one spouse was already married, or there was some other reason why the marriage should not have existed.

If an annulment is entered, the judge may also divide the property of the parties and enter orders regarding the children, if the Court has jurisdiction to do so.