You may be wondering whether it would be better for you to apply for an annulment or a divorce in case you have decided to end your marriage. An annulment refers to getting a declaration that the marriage was void or never existed while a divorce refers to the act of getting a legally recognized marriage dissolved. This article discusses some reasons that would make getting an annulment better than getting a divorce.

If Your Religious Convictions Prohibit Divorce

A very big benefit of an annulment is that it allows you to end a marriage relationship when your religion is opposed to divorce. If you qualify for an annulment (such as when your partner was legally married to another person before you got married) then you will leave that person (legally) without offending your religious views.

It Spares You the Stigma Linked to Divorce

Divorce carries stigma in many communities, and some people look at divorced individuals as being unsuitable for marriage. You can avoid being a victim of this stigma by getting an annulment. Divorce lawyers say an annulment has the effect of declaring that the marriage never existed so you are looked at as a single person rather than as a divorcee.

Property Isn't Shared

When you are granted an annulment, you do not have to share your property with your former partner. Since an annulment declares that the marriage never existed, all property reverts to the person who owned it before the voided marriage took place.

It Frees You from a Prenuptial Agreement

Many people sign prenuptial agreements that spell out how assets and liabilities will be shared in case the marriage ends in divorce. When you apply for and are granted an annulment, the law frees you from being bound by the terms of that prenuptial agreement.

Marital Debts Are Shared Equally

Some people leave divorce hearings feeling bitter because they feel the settlement left them with an unfair share of the debts that they had incurred as a couple. When a marriage is annulled, marital debts are shared equally between the spouses so none will feel aggrieved thinking he or she "got the short end of the stick".

Not everyone qualifies for an annulment. In case you would like to get it, talk to a family lawyer so that he or she assesses your circumstances in order to establish whether you qualify for the annulment or not. He or she will then guide you through the steps you must take to get that annulment granted. For more information, contact a firm such as Walker Pender Group.