What is a key factor that a party seeking annulment can request?

In cases of annulment, the primary focus is often on the legal status of the marriage itself rather than ancillary issues that typically arise in divorce proceedings. An annulment pertains to the nullification of a marriage, making it as though the marriage never existed. The key factor a party seeks in an annulment case primarily relates to the equitable distribution of property because, even though the marriage is deemed void, any property acquired during the marriage may still need to be divided between the parties. This aspect ensures fairness and addresses the financial consequences of the relationship that, despite being invalid, may have resulted in shared economic interests.

On the other hand, issues such as joint custody of children, permanent termination of parental rights, or tax exemptions for children do not directly pertain to the annulment process. While they are important in different family law contexts—particularly in divorce scenarios where children are involved—they are not central to the legal reasons for seeking an annulment. This distinction highlights the focus on property division in annulment cases as compared to other family law matters.