Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz

Annulment

Annulment Attorney in Arlington

Texas Annulment Guidance Backed by Over 100 Years of Combined Experience

An annulment addresses circumstances that existed when a marriage began. It isn’t simply another way to end a marriage after spouses decide to separate. To pursue an annulment under Texas Family Code Chapter 6, the facts must fit a recognized legal ground and meet any conditions attached to that ground.

Our attorneys help Arlington-area clients assess whether annulment, divorce, or a suit to declare a marriage void fits their circumstances. That review matters because these legal paths have different requirements, including deadlines and restrictions on voluntarily living together after discovering a problem.

Call our office at (817) 587-6452 or contact us via e-mail to schedule an initial consultation with one of our Arlington attorneys. Our office is between Dallas and Fort Worth, off I-30 at the intersection of Cooper and Abram, near the University of Texas at Arlington.

Grounds for Annulment in Texas

The court may grant an annulment when the facts support a statutory ground. Eligibility depends on the details surrounding the marriage ceremony and what happened afterward.

Texas annulment grounds can include:

Marriage of a Person Age 16 or 17: A marriage involving a person age 16 or older but under 18 may be subject to annulment if it occurred without required parental consent or a court order. A parent, guardian, managing conservator, or next friend may have authority to file, and a next-friend petition has a 90-day deadline.
Alcohol or Narcotics: The petitioner lacked the capacity to consent because of alcohol or narcotics and did not voluntarily cohabit with the other spouse after the effects ended.
Permanent Impotency: Permanent impotency existed at the time of marriage, the petitioner did not know about it, and the petitioner did not voluntarily cohabit after learning of it.
Fraud, Duress, or Force: Fraud, duress, or force induced the petitioner to enter the marriage, and the petitioner did not voluntarily cohabit after learning of the fraud or after release from the duress or force.
Mental Incapacity: A party lacked the mental capacity to consent to marriage or understand the ceremony. The statute includes additional conditions involving later capacity and cohabitation.
Concealed Divorce: One spouse divorced a third party within 30 days before the marriage, the petitioner did not know and reasonably would not have known, and the parties did not voluntarily cohabit after discovery. This claim has a one-year filing deadline.
72-Hour Marriage-License Waiting Period: The ceremony occurred during the 72-hour period after issuance of the marriage license, subject to statutory exceptions. A petition based on this ground must be filed within 30 days after the marriage.

Voluntary cohabitation generally means voluntarily continuing to live together as spouses after discovering the relevant facts. The applicable rule can turn on timing, knowledge, and conduct, so our attorneys can evaluate the specific circumstances before a petition is filed.

Family-Law Guidance for Annulment Questions

At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, we provide clear communication throughout family-law matters so clients can understand the legal ground under consideration, the documents that may be needed, and the decisions ahead. Our firm has more than 100 years of combined courtroom and transactional legal experience.

David T. Kulesz is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has been selected to Texas Super Lawyers annually since 2005. That family-law background is relevant when a possible annulment also raises questions about property, debt, children, or the proper court filing.

Annulment Versus Divorce & Void Marriage Claims

A divorce ends a legally valid marriage. An annulment addresses a voidable marriage, meaning a marriage that may be set aside because of circumstances present when it began. A suit to declare a marriage void is different: it asks the court to recognize that the marriage was invalid under Texas law.

The distinction affects the petition, legal grounds, and facts that must be presented to the court. Even when a marriage ends through annulment or a declaration of voidness, issues involving property, debt, and children can still require careful attention.

Filing an Annulment Petition in the Arlington Area

Filing begins with identifying the correct legal ground and preparing a petition that states the facts supporting it. Texas law generally requires a connection to the state through the marriage or the permanent home of one or both spouses. The other spouse must receive legally sufficient notice through service unless a valid waiver or another authorized procedure applies.

Venue can depend on where the marriage occurred, where relevant events happened, or where a spouse lived. Our Arlington annulment attorneys can review those facts before filing because county procedures and court requirements can differ.

For matters filed in Tarrant County, the Tarrant County District Clerk Family Division handles family-law filing and record functions, while the county’s family district courts are located at the Family Law Center. Filing requirements, service arrangements, hearing schedules, and court procedures depend on the case and the court involved.

Prepare for an Annulment Consultation

Bring the marriage date and location, information about the marriage license and ceremony, and records that relate to the possible ground for annulment. For example, documents concerning a prior divorce, communications relevant to fraud, or information about the timing of the ceremony may help clarify the available legal options.

During the consultation, we can review whether the circumstances at the time of marriage match a statutory ground, identify any deadline or cohabitation issue, and discuss the appropriate petition and court.

Call (817) 587-6452 to schedule an initial consultation with our firm.

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At Jackson, Landrith & Kulesz, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

"Professional, courteous & respectful."
Everything was expedited in a very timely manner. Ms. Brown has been a great communicator and her instructions have been clear and helpful. I have appreciated their help and counsel throughout a difficult time.

- Former Client
"I fully recommend Brent for divorce cases."
Brent was very instrumental in my case and was particularly good at listening to my needs. Divorce is a very sensitive matter and requires someone that understands this and works hard toward a quick resolution. I fully recommend Brent for divorce cases.

- Christian
"David is AMAZING & is one of the most competent family law Attorney EVER!"
He honestly cares about the needs of his client and what’s in the best interest of the kids. I feel so blessed. I am a single father and have custody of my children, thank you David Kulesz for believing that men can be great single parents too.

- Tony
"One of the most brilliant, and caring lawyers."
After consulting with numerous lawyers I decided on David Kulesz. He is one of the most brilliant, and caring lawyers. David is very competent and knows how to move quickly and strategically to protect your children, assets, and organization. I would highly recommend David.

- Patty G.
"He always listened to everything I had to say and was very calming in stressful situations."
David was recommended by a family friend and I’m very thankful I chose him for my attorney in my divorce case. He always listened to everything I had to say and was very calming in stressful situations. If I ever need another lawyer there is no one else I would ever consider to represent me and my children.

- Former Client
"I will definitely recommend him to others."
David represented me in a modification order. Every time we spoke he was attentive to all the details I mentioned and explained clearly how the case would proceed, what would work and what wouldn’t. David was also able to resolve the case as quickly as possible, and by settling as many of the details as possible outside court, we were able to avoid the rescheduling that seems to occur constantly in the Tarrant County family court system. I will definitely recommend him to others.

- Christopher
"David’s calming presence was an absolute Godsend."
I recommend David to anyone I hear needs a family lawyer. He always manages to take a very stressful situation as comfortable as possible, and you will know 100% that you are in the very best hands!

- Amy M.
"One of Texas’s best lawyers."
David is an expert in father’s rights and will fight to get you the rights you deserve while protecting your children. I gained custody of my children. If I ever need legal counsel again, I’m going right back to David.

- Michael S.

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