Representing Families in Domestic Relations Matters
Marriage is a legal relationship that is regulated by state law. Accordingly, a valid marriage is one that does not violate Washington state law. When a marriage does not comply with state laws, divorce proceedings won’t be necessary. An illegal marriage can be absolved using a proceeding known as “annulment.”
If you are a Vancouver, WA resident who wants to end a marriage that does not comport with Washington’s domestic relations law, you should speak with an experienced annulment attorney in Vancouver.
At Pacific Cascade Legal, our legal team is well-versed in family law matters, including annulment in Washington State. With offices conveniently located throughout Oregon and Washington, we stand ready to assist you with ending your illegal marriage.
Learn more about how our Vancouver annulment lawyers can help you. Call us at 360-506-6332 today!
Requirements for Annulment in Washington State
Washington’s Dissolution Act of 1974 officially abolished the proceeding commonly known as “annulment.” Today, Section 26.09.040 of the Revised Code of Washington governs proceedings to have a Washington court declare a marriage or domestic partnership invalid.
Under Washington law, courts can declare a marriage as invalid based on the following grounds:
- At least one of the parties is not of legal age
- At least one of the parties is still married
- The parties are blood relatives
- Incapacity due to an intoxicating substance, or mental impairment
- One of the parties was coerced into the marriage through force or fraud
- Issues with the marriage license
- Violation of positive law
A party seeking to have their marriage declared invalid by a Washington court has the burden of proving that one of the above grounds applies to their situation. While evidence of some of these grounds may be as simple as providing the court with a valid birth certificate confirming the party’s age at the time of their wedding, other grounds present a greater evidentiary challenge.
Call 360-506-6332 for Experienced Legal Counsel Today
If you want to end a marriage that falls within one of the statutory grounds for invalidity, you should seek legally counsel from an experienced Vancouver annulment attorney.
At Pacific Cascade Legal, our legal team has years of valuable experience litigating various domestic relations issues, including annulments in Washington State. We go the extra mile for our clients to deliver compassionate legal representation in personally sensitive matters. We respect the delicate nature of your situation and will dedicate our efforts to managing your case with the utmost discretion.
Set up a free consultation with an esteemed annulment attorney in Vancouver, WA. Contact Pacific Cascade Legal online today!