Annulments made easy

Legal Grounds for Annulment in Alberta

The Divorce Act of the federal government specifies that a marriage can be terminated in certain circumstances – generally due to an issue with how the wedding was conducted or an incapacity of one partner. If, at the time of marriage, spouses can prove one or more of the following capacity issues, they may be eligible for an annulment:

• One spouse was already married – If your spouse was legally married to someone else at the time of your ceremony, the second marriage is not valid
• Close blood relationship – Marriage between close relatives is prohibited under Canadian law.
• Lack of true consent – If you were forced, threatened, or pressured into marriage, or did not freely agree.
• Mental incapacity – If one spouse did not understand the nature and consequences of marriage at the time of the ceremony.
• Underage marriage without proper consent – If one party was below the legal marriage age and the legal requirements were not met.
• Inability to consummate – If one spouse was permanently incapable of sexual relations at the time of marriage. This must be a true incapacity, not simply unwillingness.

Simply regretting the marriage, discovering incompatibility, or experiencing conflict are not grounds for annulment.

Do You Qualify for an Annulment?

Annulments require careful legal review. Many people assume they qualify when they do not. In many situations, divorce is the proper legal process.

We will review your situation and explain clearly whether annulment is available or whether divorce is the better route.