questions & answers

Question: My husband who participated in illegal drugs once in a while before we got married had become an addict. We haven't been married a year. Domestic abuse has occurred numerous times with me too afraid to call on him. However, they are getting worse. His name is the one in the house and he threatens to kick me out. Would this be grounds for annulment?

Answer: A legal annulment would require that there was an issue with the marriage that would make it not valid, such as one of the spouses was already married. Since people are only allowed to have one spouse the second marriage would be able to be annulled. A list of all reasons for annulment can be found on the petition for an annulment under 6. Grounds for the Annulment: https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/sscDocs/pdf/draa10fz.pdf.

If your marriage was valid, as most marriages are, then you would need to get a divorce to end your marriage. Forms can be found  at your local county self service center.

If you need to seek an order of protection from your spouse you may go to any court to get an order of protection. Assistance for victims of domestic violence can be found at the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, http://www.acesdv.org/.