Almost sounds to me like there's no sense is bothering with a 'church annulment' at all. I thought these things were almost impossible to get. Doesn't seem like they are all that difficult.
Sadly, the process is very long and drawn out for most people and requires quite a bit of paperwork. If one perserveres and does the work, I think the chances of success are quite good... but many people give up, particularly people who are intimidated by the paperwork and process. And in my experience, the "advocate" (parish priest who is supposed to assist) often does not offer much help.