Annulment Times

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OurLadyofSorrows1

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Hi there! I received a notice about six weeks ago, that all information in my annulment process had been received and all the acts published. Now comes simply waiting for the decision. It was a simple lack of form, between two non baptized people outside of a church. The respondent was unresponsive and everything went very quickly for me until now. I feel like this final stage of waiting for a decision has taken forever, and wonder how long it may have taken some of you? I know it can be diocese specific and every case is different. Perhaps, it’s just me going stir crazy checking the mailbox every day hoping today will be the day. I wasn’t catholic at the time and neither was he. It was more than 15 years ago. Now I am catholic and actually practicing my faith daily, and hoping to marry although we cannot set a date or do anything until this process is complete. I just feel frustrated frankly.
 
I apologize. I meant, it wasn’t held by any church much less catholic and neither party were baptized at the time. Meaning, it wasn’t in catholic form. I should have clarified
 
OurLadyofSorrows1 said:
I apologize. I meant, it wasn’t held by any church much less catholic and neither party were baptized at the time. Meaning, it wasn’t in catholic form. I should have clarified
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Yes, but lack of form would only apply if one, or both, of you had been received into the Church at the time.
 
My annulment in the Phildelphia Archdiocese took four months from the day I submitted the paperwork. I’m pretty sure it was more complex than yours. I’ve heard Miami can take a year.
 
I cannot answer your question having never applied for an annulment, but i like your name. 🙂
I have been told by those going through the process that the annulment process can take some time.

You are in my prayers. We just had a homily on patience and how the Gospel and readings exemplified this.
 
Neither were. It was purely two unbaptized people through a magistrate
 
OurLadyofSorrows1 said:
Neither were. It was purely two unbaptized people through a magistrate
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Lack of form doesn’t apply to the marriage of two non-Catholics. They are not required to marry in church and their civil marriage is presumed valid.

Lack or defect of consent, on the other hand, can certainly have rendered it invalid.
 
Okay, that would not be lack of form as the non baptized are not held to cononical form. Perhaps the advocate did not explain this?

It will take as long as it takes.

Your witnesses responses are something that can add time. You may want to ask them to promptly fill out their paperwork, or, to inform you now if they are not going to participate so you can find another witness.
 
OurLadyofSorrows1 said:
I received a notice about six weeks ago, that all information in my annulment process had been received and all the acts published.
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After that, the Parties are given a certain length of time to examine those “published” acts, usually 2-3 weeks. Then, there is the time for observations/briefs to be written and submitted, again a period of about 2-3 weeks. There could follow a time for responses to the briefs/observations to be composed, once again, perhaps a couple of weeks.

After this discussion phase has finished, the case goes to the judge(s) for a decision. That takes as long as it takes.
OurLadyofSorrows1 said:
I know it can be diocese specific and every case is different.
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It is specific to the Judge(s).

You might be able to talk to a secretary at the tribunal and get an idea of where your case is in the pipeline.

Dan
 
Thank you. I know the period of my reviewing all the gathered testimony was done back in mid December. I didn’t care to review it as he never even responded and the case moved forward without any testimony from his side or any witness of his- he didn’t have any as he didn’t respond. The briefs were sent in about 4-6 weeks ago. So my advocate said the case was now up for decision before the judge after that was sent in. So i guess now we are just waiting on a decision. It’s a very simple case. I understand and respect the process frankly. I just wish it were more understandable and perhaps a little more revealing in the sense of say for example, on the civil worldly side, you know when your court date is. You know when the judge will decide (unless he continues it unexpectedly) but you generally have an idea when something will be resolved. I just felt like here, I keep hearing my advocate say the same thing, “any day now honey”. It feels like sort of waiting around blindly just hoping that it could be any day now
 
I don’t have any answers for you, but I just wanted to tell you that I am SO EXCITED for you!!! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:
 
From the information you have gradually supplied throughout the thread this is not a lack of form case.

First, , if it was it would not take so long.

Secondly, as you and your former husband were not Catholics you were not bound by canonical form. The Catholic church would recognise the marriage by civil ceremony of two non-Catholics.

Therefore, your case must be going through the process on a different ground or grounds. Speak to your advocate because he/she will know what grounds have been put before the tribunal.
 
It was presented for lack of consent. It is simply waiting on a final decision now and signatures by the judge. My question really is, at that particular final stage, how long does this typically take? Weeks? Months? Depends? Case specific? By order in which it was received? Etc.
 
OurLadyofSorrows1 said:
how long does this typically take?
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It varies. A lot of factors are in play. The thing to remember is the tribunal have not forgot you. I am afraid you will have to wait. Some people may keep calling the tribunal to find out where the case is up to. However, while taking such calls the tribunal cannot be getting on with handling cases.

I do also hope you are aware that a tribunal’s decision is not a foregone conclusion. The tribunal may not reach the decision you want.
 
Certainly, I understand it could be the opposite. I was told it would be granted. This came from the director there itself, which my case was an unfortunate and unusual one without question. My understanding is, at this point, it’s just a waiting game in the sense of “by order in which it was received”, before it is finalized.
 
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