Humphries 'seeks annulment' from Kardashian

Kris Humphries is planning to file for a legal separation from his estranged wife Kim Kardashian.

A rep for the NBA star, 26, confirms to E! Online that he will respond to his estranged wife's October divorce filing by seeking a legal separation.

Kardashian filed for divorce on October 31, just 72 days after tying the knot with Humphries in a lavish ceremony taped for her TV show.

She cited "irreconcilable differences" in court documents filed in Los Angeles.

Shortly after Kardashian filed the legal paperwork, Humphries said in a statement, "I love my wife and am devastated to learn she filed for divorce. I'm committed to this marriage and everything this covenant represents. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it work."

There were rumours that Humphries had flat-out refused to sign the divorce papers, but sources close to the NBA player denied this was the case, saying he had every intention of doing so.

But Humphries appears to have changed tactic. Filing for a legal separation could pave the way for an annulment of their short-lived union, rather than a divorce, People reports.

An annulment would mean that the marriage was never valid, reports Extra.

A rep for Humphries said that the court papers are likely to be filed within days.

Update: Humphries has now filed to legally separate from and nullify his marriage to Kardashian, "seeking to erase his 72-day marriage on the grounds of fraud," according to People.

A family lawyer, not involved with the case, told the mag: "There's a clear conflict if one spouse is seeking a divorce, but the other wants an annulment.

"A judge will have to decide which to allow, which could take many months."

Under California law, an annulment can be granted "if there's proof of impotency, incest, bigamy, unsound mind, force or fraud", reports gossip website TMZ.

A source also tells the website that Kardashian and her husband had discussed annulling their union before she filed for divorce last month, but were told by legal reps that it wasn't an option.

"She always wanted an annulment but attorneys were against it so she's happy that both parties agree now," another source told People.

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