Divorce vs. Annulment: What’s the Difference?

Sims Purzer
Mar 21
2 min read

Divorce vs. Annulment | Breakup-Better, San Antonio, Texas

When a marriage isn’t working out, many people think divorce is the only way to end it. But in some cases, an annulment might be possible. Even though both options end a marriage, they work very differently.

At Breakup-Better, we want to help people understand their choices. If you're wondering about divorce and annulment, here’s a simple explanation.

What’s the Main Difference?

The biggest difference is how the law sees the marriage:

Divorce ends a marriage that was legal and valid.
Annulment erases a marriage as if it never legally happened.

Divorce: Ending a Legal Marriage

A divorce is the process of ending a legally recognized marriage. It allows both people to move forward with their lives separately.

Ends a marriage that was legally valid.
May include decisions about property, finances, and children.
Gives both people a fresh start.

Annulment: Treating the Marriage Like It Never Happened

An annulment works differently. Instead of ending a marriage, it says the marriage was never legally valid to begin with.

Only allowed in certain situations.
Erases the marriage from legal records.
Usually does not involve dividing property or deciding on support.

Think of divorce as undoing a legal marriage, while annulment means the marriage was never valid in the first place.

Who Can Get an Annulment?

Annulments are rare and only granted in special cases. Some reasons a marriage might be annulled include:

One person was too young to get married legally.
One person was already married to someone else.
The marriage was based on lies or important information was hidden.
One person was forced into the marriage.

If none of these apply, then divorce is usually the right option for ending a marriage.

When Divorce Makes Sense

If a marriage was legal, but one or both people no longer want to be together, divorce is the best way to move forward.

Common reasons people get divorced:

✔ They have grown apart and no longer get along.

✔ They want financial or personal independence.

✔ They need a legal way to separate their lives.

Unlike an annulment, divorce provides a way to make fair decisions about things like money, property, and parenting.

How Breakup Better Can Help

If you’re thinking about divorce or wondering if annulment is an option, we’re here to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.

Uncontested Divorce Services – Fast, affordable help for those who agree on the terms.
Estate Planning Support – Need to update your will or protect your home? We can assist.
Dedicated Legal Advice –Breakup-Better is a trade name of Sims & Purzer Attorneys at Law PLLC, which offers legal advice through paid consultations. Schedule an appointment with us today!