A Complete Guide for Residents of Hackensack, Teaneck, Fort Lee, and Surrounding Areas
Bergen County, with its diverse population and bustling towns like Hackensack, Teaneck, Englewood, Fort Lee, and Paramus, is no stranger to complex family matters. One lesser-known legal path available to some married couples is annulment—a court process that voids a marriage as if it never legally existed.
For Bergen County residents who entered a marriage under false pretenses, duress, or without legal capacity, this guide explains how annulment works, how to file, what the alternatives are, and how online divorce mediation in Bergen County can simplify and humanize the process.
What Is a Civil Annulment in New Jersey?
A civil annulment is different from divorce. While divorce ends a legally valid marriage, annulment asserts that the marriage was invalid from the start. This is a legal distinction, not to be confused with religious annulment, which carries no civil weight.
To be granted an annulment, you must demonstrate that your marriage meets specific legal criteria under New Jersey law.
Common Legal Grounds for Annulment in Bergen County
To succeed in court, you must prove one of the following:
1. Fraud or Misrepresentation
Deception that goes to the heart of the marriage. Examples include:
- Concealing the inability or refusal to have children
- Hiding substance abuse or a criminal record
- Falsely marrying for immigration status
- Misleading someone about religious intentions
2. Bigamy
One spouse was already legally married at the time of the second marriage.
3. Duress or Force
You were threatened, coerced, or forced into the marriage.
4. Mental Incapacity
Due to mental illness or intoxication, one or both parties were unable to consent.
5. Underage Marriage
Marriage occurred when one party was under 18 and did not have legal or parental consent.
6. Impotence or Inability to Consummate
This must have been undisclosed before marriage and deemed incurable.
Where to File for Annulment in Bergen County
All annulment petitions in Bergen County are filed through the Family Division at the Bergen County Courthouse:
Bergen County Justice Center, 10 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 527-2300
The Step-by-Step Process for Filing an Annulment
- Draft and File a Complaint for Annulment
- Serve Legal Papers to your spouse
- Case Management Conference to outline timeline and logistics
- Provide Supporting Evidence including medical records, texts, witness affidavits, etc.
- Final Hearing — If uncontested, a judge may issue an annulment at the first hearing
Why Consider Online Divorce Mediation in Bergen County?
Annulments can trigger emotional and logistical stress. Our virtual divorce mediation process helps parties:
- Discuss contested topics calmly
- Resolve child or property concerns
- Avoid multiple court dates
- Save time and legal fees
Even in annulment cases, mediation is often ordered by Bergen County judges to streamline resolution.
Children and Property: Legal Considerations in Annulment Cases
Although an annulment voids the marriage, courts must still resolve these matters:
Child Custody and Support
Children from annulled marriages are fully protected. Courts will:
- Set custody and parenting time
- Determine child support obligations
Property and Debt
Equitable distribution may apply. This includes:
- Dividing jointly acquired property
- Determining responsibility for shared debts
Religious Annulment vs. Civil Annulment in Bergen County
Religious annulments are handled by religious institutions and have no bearing on your civil legal status. You must file separately for a civil annulment if you wish to:
- Remarry legally
- Change your legal marital status
- Divide assets
FAQs: Annulments in Bergen County, NJ
Q: How long does the annulment process take? A: 3–6 months if uncontested; longer if evidence is disputed.
Q: Can I file online? A: Yes, initial documents can be filed with help from divorce service online, but you may need to appear in court.
Q: Do I need my spouse’s agreement? A: No, but their contesting it can complicate and extend the case.
Q: Is mediation required? A: Often yes, especially if children or property are involved.
Q: Can I remarry after an annulment? A: Yes. An annulment resets your legal marital status to single.
Alternatives to Annulment
1. No-Fault Divorce
- Requires at least 6 months of irreconcilable differences
- Simpler and more common than annulment
2. Fault-Based Divorce
- Based on abuse, abandonment, adultery, or addiction
3. Separation Agreement
- Allows couples to live apart and legally divide property or custody
Final Thoughts
Not every marriage qualifies for annulment, but if yours does, taking action quickly improves your chances of success. Residents of Hackensack, Fort Lee, Paramus, and nearby Bergen County towns can benefit from our experience in both annulment and mediated divorce services.
Learn more about online divorce mediation in Bergen County to explore whether annulment is right for you.
Call or Text 201-205-3201 now to schedule your free consultation.
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