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    Annulment

    What is an annulment?

    An application for an annulment (also called a decree of nullity) is an application for an order from the court that the marriage be declared invalid.

    On what grounds can a marriage be declared invalid?

    Invalidity may result from any one of the following:

    • either partner was not of marriageable age;
    • bigamy (that is, one partner was already married at the time of the marriage ceremony);
    • the people were within a prohibited relationship (such as sisters marrying brothers, parents marrying children, half-brothers marrying half-sisters);
    • either or both of the parties did not consent (the marriage took place through fraud, duress, mistake or mental incapacity);
    • the ceremony was invalid (for example, the celebrant was not properly appointed).

    Can a party to an annulled marriage, re-marry?

    Partners to a void or invalid marriage may remarry at any time without entering a bigamous relationship [Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) s 71].

    Can a party to an annulled marriage still apply for orders about children or property?

    A partner to a void (annulled) marriage is still able to institute proceedings in the Family Law Courts for orders about children, maintenance and property [Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) s 71].

    A child of a void marriage is covered by the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) [ss 60E, 60F].

      Annulment  :  Last Revised: Tue Dec 18th 2018
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