WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR A DECISION RESULTING IN AN ANNULMENT?
An individual is presumed to know marriage is a permanent union of exclusive fidelity having something to do with raising children. If an individual does not intend fidelity, permanence or excludes the right to children but says the vows, he/she acts invalidly. Serious mental illness or defects in emotional stability owing to serious psychological causes may also render an individual incapable of entering into marriage. Signs or symptoms of such disorders are not obvious many times to the average person. In these cases the Marriage Tribunal often calls upon experts, employed by the Tribunal, as part of the examination process. When an expert is used there is an additional fee (currently $200.00) which is payable through the Marriage Tribunal to the expert. Arrangements are made with the Tribunal in cases of need regarding this fee.
