FWIW, my BF is going filling out the 1st step of the paperwork for an annulment. Many Catholics are misinformed about the whole process. We sat through a full day introductory seminar on it. It helped to clear up many misconceptions he had, as well as to help him view his history with the ex in a new light.
As I believe I mentioned upthread, and to you specifically, although it may have been another freeper, I have a close family who went through this process as well and I'm quite familiar with it.