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You are here: Families & Children > Divorce, Legal Separation & Annulment > Introduction to Divorce, Legal Separation & Annulment
What's the difference between a divorce, a legal separation, and an annulment?
What can I do to make my case faster and cheaper?
In California, starting on January 1, 2005, domestic partners must also file for dissolution, legal separation, or annulment to end their relationship. For more information about ending a domestic partnership, click here.
What's the difference between a divorce, a legal separation, and an annulment?
A divorce (also called "dissolution of marriage" or "dissolution of domestic partnership") ends your marriage or domestic partnership. After you get divorced, you will be single, and you can marry or become a domestic partner again.
If you get divorced, you can ask the judge for orders like child support, spousal support, partner support, custody and visitation, domestic violence restraining orders, division of property, and other orders.
For married persons to get a divorce, you MUST meet California's residency requirement. For information about residency for domestic partners, click here.
A legal separation does not end a marriage or domestic partnership. You can't marry or enter into a partnership with someone else if you are legally separated (and not divorced). A legal separation is for couples that do not want to get divorced but want to live apart and decide on money, property, and parenting issues. Couples sometimes prefer separation for religious reasons.
You do not need to meet California's residency requirement to file for a legal separation. If you file for a legal separation, you may later be able to file an amended petition to ask the court for a divorce-after you meet the residency requirements.
In a legal separation case, you can ask the judge for orders like child support, spousal support, partner support, custody and visitation, domestic violence restraining orders, or any other orders you can get with a divorce case.
An annulment (or "nullity of marriage" or "nullity of domestic partnership") is when a court says your marriage or domestic partnership is NOT legally valid. A marriage or domestic partnership that is incestuous or bigamous is never valid. Other marriages and partnerships can be declared "void" because:
- of force, fraud, or physical or mental incapacity;
- one of the spouses or partners was too young to legally marry or enter into a domestic partnership; or
- one of the spouses or partners was already married or in a registered domestic partnership.
Annulments are very rare. If you ask to have your marriage or domestic partnership annulled, you will have to go to hearing with a judge.
Note: If you have children in common with the other party, you must ask the court to establish the parentage of that person. Check with a lawyer about how to do this. Click here for help finding a lawyer. The family law facilitator may also be able to give you some information.
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What can I do to make my case faster and cheaper?
Planning your case can save you time and money. Before you start your case, think about how you are going to handle it. You could save money and time if you talk to a lawyer and do some planning before you start. Click here for help finding a lawyer.
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Last modified: 01/05/2009
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