{"id":373926,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:31","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-01-27T14:08:56","modified_gmt":"2023-01-27T19:08:56","slug":"massachusetts-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Massachusetts Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Though it may seem simple, the legal proceedings surrounding marriage actually have strict rules. Each state has its own set of annulment and prohibited marriage laws<\/a> that prohibit marriage in certain circumstances. A prohibited marriage<\/a> is void because the marriage was never lawful. Generally, there’s no need to get an annulment or divorce in these cases. Commonly prohibited marriages typically include bigamous marriages, where a person tries to marry more than one spouse, or incestuous marriages, where a person tries to marry a relative.<\/p>\r\n

An annulment<\/a>, on the other hand, is a way to void a marriage that would be otherwise invalid. While both an annulment and a divorce<\/a> end a marriage, an annulment wipes the slate clean as if there was no marriage to begin with. However, you usually need to get an annulment within a certain amount of time, so it is important to know the laws and act promptly if you are considering annulling your marriage.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a brief overview of annulment and prohibited marriages in the state of Massachusetts.<\/p>\r\n

Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws in Massachusetts<\/h2>\r\n

The following chart highlights the main provisions of Massachusetts’ annulment and prohibited marriage laws. See FindLaw’s Marriage Law Overview<\/a> section for additional articles and resources.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Grounds for Annulment<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

If the validity of a marriage is doubted, either party may institute an action for annulling the marriage (M.G.L.A. 207 \u00a7 14<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Legitimacy of Children<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Prohibited Marriages<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Same-Sex Marriages<\/td>\r\n