Understanding Civil Annulment in Rhode Island: A Path Less Traveled When a marriage comes to an end, most people immediately think of divorce. However, there's another, often misunderstood, legal process that can dissolve a marriage: civil annulment. Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage, an annulment declares that the marriage was never legally valid from the start. For individuals in Rhode Island navigating complex marital issues, understanding the nuances of annulment can be crucial. This article delves into civil annulment in the Ocean State, offering practical advice, detailing the legal grounds, and highlighting what you need to know. What is Civil Annulment and How Does it Differ from Divorce? In essence, an annulment is a legal declaration that no valid marriage ever existed between the parties. It’s as if the marriage ceremony and subsequent cohabitation never legally bound them. This distinction is paramount because it affects everything from pr...