“Baywatch” star Pam Anderson filed for divorce last week in California against her poker phenom
husband Rick Salomon. Soon thereafter, Salomon filed for annulment against Anderson in Las Vegas.
Anderson cited irreconcilable differences in her complaint while Salomon cited fraud. According to
media reports, Anderson is financially strapped and has asked for spousal support from Salomon.
So, what is the difference between a divorce and an annulment, and why would it matter to these two
people? A divorce occurs when a valid marriage is terminated by the court. The marriage ends at the
time of the termination. An annulment occurs when a void or voidable marriage is terminated. A void
marriage is one that is not valid on its face. For instance, the parties are first cousins or one of the
spouses has a living spouse. A voidable marriage is one in which, if no one attempts to have the
marriage annulled, it continues on as a valid marriage. Examples of voidable marriage include a want of
understanding on one of the spouse’s part, fraud in obtaining the consent of one of the parties to the
marriage and a minor marrying without parental consent. Legally, it as if an annulled marriage never
occurred.
Nevada is a “no fault state,” so a party may obtain a divorce simply because he or she wants one. An
annulment, however, is not automatic. The party seeking the annulment must prove to the court that
he or she is entitled to an annulment under the statutes.
Anderson and Salomon first married each other in 2007 with that marriage being annulled after two
months. In January 2014, the parties married again with Anderson filing for divorce six months later.
Two months after that filing, however, Anderson asked the court to dismiss the case. Salomon’s
reasoning for filing for an annulment instead of a divorce may be that generally spousal support is not
awarded in annulment cases.