Large annulment processing fee?

[anodos]

Can anyone tell me what the Catholic climate was like over 30 years ago for someone seeking an annulment? An (older) ex-Catholic friend told me that she tried to start the process in the 70s and was told that she would need to pay a $2,000 processing fee to begin (I think that is over $7,000 in today’s dollars). She couldn’t come up with the money so she didn’t pursue it. Was this typical at that time, or was it excessive and possibly abusive? I have heard that fees can be waived now if someone can’t afford them; was this true back then too? Could she have proceeded at little or no cost?

 

[Godfollower]

Even today, it’s generally something like $500.00 (it varies by diocese). And it’s waived if you can’t afford it.

I can’t speak to the 1970s, but I consider it likely that she was misinformed or misused.

 

[lo_amo87]

Eeesh! I think my husband had paid around $300 or $400 for his annulment. I can’t imagine anyone even wanting to get an annulment if it cost in the thousands!!!

 

[1ke]

Can anyone tell me what the Catholic climate was like over 30 years ago for someone seeking an annulment?

The same as it is today. Governed by canon law. But governed by the 1917 code.

An (older) ex-Catholic friend told me that she tried to start the process in the 70s and was told that she would need to pay a $2,000 processing fee to begin (I think that is over $7,000 in today’s dollars). She couldn’t come up with the money so she didn’t pursue it. Was this typical at that time, or was it excessive and possibly abusive? I have heard that fees can be waived now if someone can’t afford them; was this true back then too? Could she have proceeded at little or no cost?

Yes, fees could be waived. $2K must be a mistake or misunderstanding. It doesn’t even cost $2K today, let alone in the 1970s.

We cannot make any sort of *definitive *statement about her situation, since it was 40 years ago in an unknown place. In general, it sounds like a misunderstanding.

We don’t know who she talked to (was it the priest, a tribunal official, or was it Uncle Fred who told her it would cost $2K… we don’t know). There is a LOT of misinformation out there, and it is possible she never pursued it based on what “someone” (someone who didn’t know what they were talking about) told her.

Or, it is possible that somewhere, for some reason, a tribunal did have a cost of $2k. If that were so, then they would certainly have had something in place for those who could not afford it as we cannot be denied our rights under canon law for something like paying fees.

 

[mamaslo]

it’s not all at once…the fees come at different times. $100 here and $100 there. People still have to eat, you have actual trained lawyers looking at it. The church in Her compassion helps the needy. They do not want you to live in sin and they do help.

 

[Phemie]

I know that in our diocese the fee is $500. You pay $250 when you file and the rest after the process is over. If you cannot pay (and let’s face it, if you can afford cable every month you can afford this) there is a process in place to help you. At the Archdiocese it’s $750 in two installments.

I have a hard time imagining a diocese charging $2K 40 years ago.

 

[Leegal]

Can anyone tell me what the Catholic climate was like over 30 years ago for someone seeking an annulment? An (older) ex-Catholic friend told me that she tried to start the process in the 70s and was told that she would need to pay a $2,000 processing fee to begin (I think that is over $7,000 in today’s dollars). She couldn’t come up with the money so she didn’t pursue it. Was this typical at that time, or was it excessive and possibly abusive? I have heard that fees can be waived now if someone can’t afford them; was this true back then too? Could she have proceeded at little or no cost?

Not absolutely certain, but I’ve been this route, but it was around $1500 during the late 1970s in the Brooklyn diocese of which I am a part. I do not recall if the Church had a sliding scale or assistance for those who could not pay back at that time, but the cost was prohibitive. No mention was made of assistance, and it stopped me too.

Now I understand it’s about $800. This is the part I’m not sure of – the exact cost now.

However, I do know that inability to pay can be taken on a case by case basis and no one should avoid the process due to the cost now. She should check with the diocese as I believe assistance is available.

 

[philial]

I know someone who obtained an annulment in the U.K., in the 80’s. There were set fees, but I don’t recall specific amounts, but she was advised that an offering of what she could afford would be O.K… The main problem was the travelling costs of the priest, as her (non) husband lived some distance away, and involved the priest having to stopover in a hotel at least once.

As I remember, she figured she’d got a bargain!

 

[anodos]

We don’t know who she talked to (was it the priest, a tribunal official, or was it Uncle Fred who told her it would cost $2K… we don’t know). There is a LOT of misinformation out there, and it is possible she never pursued it based on what “someone” (someone who didn’t know what they were talking about) told her.

She went to the secretary of someone official, though I don’t know who. (Not Uncle Fred). I doubt that she would be interested in seeking the annulment now, but she may ask a question about it in the future, so I’m glad for the information provided by everyone who responded. Thank you!

 

[Godfollower]

She went to the secretary of someone official, though I don’t know who. (Not Uncle Fred). I doubt that she would be interested in seeking the annulment now, but she may ask a question about it in the future, so I’m glad for the information provided by everyone who responded. Thank you!

Please don’t just pass on the information we have. Please also pass on our condolences. Every so often, someone gets bad information about the Church directly from the Church, and that’s seriously frustrating to those of us who recognize the problem too late to do anything about it. It’s unfair to the person who gets the wrong information. And, too often, they never get a second chance to act on the correct information.

I pray that she will find peace with God.

 

[anodos]

Please don’t just pass on the information we have. Please also pass on our condolences. Every so often, someone gets bad information about the Church directly from the Church, and that’s seriously frustrating to those of us who recognize the problem too late to do anything about it. It’s unfair to the person who gets the wrong information. And, too often, they never get a second chance to act on the correct information.

I pray that she will find peace with God.

Thank you!

 

[carmenrae]

My husband and I are going through the same issue. One church in NJ told us 1500 for an annulment, and another, here in MD, was closer to 500…it is such a difficult process and very discouraging for us. We want, so much, to have our marriage blessed, but we need to raise the money, first

 

[Godfollower]

My husband and I are going through the same issue. One church in NJ told us 1500 for an annulment, and another, here in MD, was closer to 500…it is such a difficult process and very discouraging for us. We want, so much, to have our marriage blessed, but we need to raise the money, first

Then say so to your pastor. Very often these fees are waived for people who can’t afford them.

 

[SurlyMermaid]

I was told for me it would be around a grand. Where my in-laws live it’s around 2K. I was told also there is help for his.

 

[Castello]

My husband and I are going through the same issue. One church in NJ told us 1500 for an annulment, and another, here in MD, was closer to 500…it is such a difficult process and very discouraging for us. We want, so much, to have our marriage blessed, but we need to raise the money, first

There is always financial assistance for these issues.

Do what you need to do in order to be validly married in the Church. God wants you to come home!

 

[Castello]

My husband and I are going through the same issue. One church in NJ told us 1500 for an annulment, and another, here in MD, was closer to 500…it is such a difficult process and very discouraging for us. We want, so much, to have our marriage blessed, but we need to raise the money, first

Here is the information for your Tribunal.

Contact them directly:

cdow.org/tribunal.html

 

[JillyAnn]

In our diocese they request a fee but they also recognize that not everyone can afford it…so they do have prorated fees based on income and “payment plans”…