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Marriage annulments are now easier, thanks to Pope Francis

On Behalf of | Sep 25, 2015 | Divorce

Pope Francis has shown that he’s all about reform, and his latest measure has been to change the way that members of the Catholic faith can get marriage annulments. It’s going to be easier, faster and cheaper than seen in the past.

Here are some of the highlights from the changes:

— Cases can now, if both sides are in agreement, be heard in just 30 days.– Cases have to be heard in 45 days at the most.– Most costs are now waived, meaning an annulment is free, outside of little fees for administrative work.

The new rules are making waves right now, as they’ve recently been announced. For Catholics, though, they don’t turn into church law until Dec. 8.

While the Pope has announced these changes, other officials did say that more details still had to be ironed out. They hope to do that in the coming months.

One problem that a lot of people have had with annulments in the past is that they claim they are discriminatory. With the high costs that were previously tied to them, those in the lower classes may not have had the money to get an annulment, even when it was wanted and needed.

For example, getting an annulment in the United States has always been said to be fast, easy and efficient. The same was not always true in poorer countries, and these changes are supposed to make the process even for everyone.

As you look into the way that annulment options are changing, take a moment to also consider your legal rights and obligations in Denver, Colorado.

Source: The New York Times, “Pope Francis Announces Changes for Easier Marriage Annulments,” Jim Yardley and Elisabetta Povoledo, Sep. 08, 2015

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