Annulment Lawyer Prince William County, VA
You married in good faith, but now you have reason to believe the marriage was never legally valid. Perhaps your spouse was already married at the time of your wedding, or you were pressured into the marriage under circumstances that left you with no genuine choice. Maybe you later learned that your spouse concealed a material fact—such as a criminal history or an inability to have children—that, had you known, would have led you not to consent. In Virginia, an annulment can declare that the marriage was void from the start, as though it never legally existed. For residents of Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, and the wider Prince William County community, understanding how annulment works under Virginia law is the first step toward clarity. The firm’s Fairfax Location serves clients throughout Prince William County, including the neighborhoods of Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Annulment Means in Prince William County
An annulment is a legal judgment that a marriage was void or voidable at its inception. Unlike a divorce, which ends a valid marriage, an annulment declares that no valid marriage ever existed. Under Virginia law, the grounds for annulment are set out in Va. Code § 20-89.1 and related provisions of Title 20 of the Virginia Code. The Prince William County Circuit Court hears annulment cases, as it has exclusive original jurisdiction over suits for annulment under Va. Code § 20-96. The court address is 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110, and serves the Thirty-first Judicial District. Because annulment is an equitable remedy, the Circuit Court will examine whether the specific statutory grounds are satisfied and whether granting the annulment is appropriate given all the circumstances.
In Prince William County, annulment cases often involve parties who married in the county or resided there during the marriage. The court will consider whether one party was underage without proper consent, whether the marriage was procured by fraud or duress, or whether a spouse was already married to another person at the time of the ceremony. Virginia also requires that at least one party has been a bona fide resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth for at least six months before filing (Va. Code § 20-97). The firm’s Fairfax Location regularly assists clients with annulment matters, representing individuals who need to establish residency, gather evidence, and present their case to the Circuit Court.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Annulment Cases
When you engage Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for an annulment, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys first conduct a thorough factual review. They examine the circumstances of the marriage ceremony, the age and capacity of each spouse at the time, any prior marriages, and any representations made before the wedding. If the facts support an annulment, they prepare a complaint setting forth the grounds with specificity, and file it with the Prince William County Circuit Court. The firm’s attorneys also handle service of process, which can be straightforward if the other spouse is in Virginia, but may require additional steps if the spouse resides out of state or abroad.
Once the case is before the court, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys advocate for the annulment at any hearings. They present evidence such as marriage licenses, prior divorce decrees, correspondence, and witness testimony to establish the grounds. If the other spouse contests the annulment, the attorneys litigate the matter, challenging opposing evidence and arguing the legal basis for voiding the marriage. Throughout the process, they keep you informed of developments and advise on ancillary issues such as property division or custody of children born during the marriage, as the court may need to address these as part of the annulment proceeding. The goal is a timely resolution that clarifies your marital status and allows you to move forward.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., personally oversees the firm’s family law practice. A former prosecutor, he founded the firm in 1997 and is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive experience to family law cases. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work collaboratively on annulment matters, drawing on their collective knowledge of Virginia’s domestic relations statutes and Prince William County court procedures. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys have documented case results across multiple practice areas. In Prince William County alone, the firm has hundreds of documented outcomes. Results may vary. For a confidential discussion of your annulment situation, contact the firm to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the grounds for an annulment in Virginia?
Virginia law allows annulment for specific reasons, including a prior existing marriage, mental incapacity at the time of the ceremony, underage marriage without proper consent, fraud, duress, or impotence. These grounds are codified in Va. Code § 20-89.1. For example, if a spouse was already married to someone else when your wedding took place, the marriage is void from the beginning. If one party was forced into the marriage under threat, the marriage is voidable and may be annulled. The court will require clear evidence to support any ground alleged in the complaint.
How is an annulment different from a divorce in Prince William County?
A divorce ends a valid marriage, while an annulment declares that no valid marriage ever existed. In Prince William County, divorce proceedings address marital property division, spousal support, and custody using the framework of equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3. An annulment, by contrast, treats the marriage as void, which can affect property rights and spousal support differently. For instance, if the marriage is annulled, a spouse may not be entitled to equitable distribution. However, the Circuit Court can still make orders concerning children of the marriage and, in some cases, may address property issues under principles of equity. The specific outcome depends on the facts and the applicable law.
Do I need to live in Prince William County to file for annulment here?
You must file in the circuit court of the county or city where either spouse resides. If you or your spouse live in Prince William County, you may file in the Prince William County Circuit Court. Virginia law also requires that at least one party be a resident and domiciliary of Virginia for at least six months before filing (Va. Code § 20-97). This means simply residing in the Commonwealth is not enough; you must also intend to make Virginia your permanent home. If you have questions about residency, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What if my spouse contests the annulment?
If the other spouse opposes the annulment, the case becomes contested and proceeds to litigation. The court will schedule hearings, and both sides will present evidence. The spouse seeking the annulment bears the burden of proving the grounds by clear and convincing evidence. Contested annulment cases can involve witness testimony, document production, and legal argument. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys are experienced in contested family law matters and will advocate for your position at every stage. The timeline for a contested annulment varies case by case and depends on the court’s calendar.
Can an annulment affect custody or support of children?
Yes. Although an annulment voids the marriage, the Circuit Court retains authority to determine custody, visitation, and child support. Virginia law provides that children born during a marriage that is later annulled are considered legitimate. The court applies the same best-interests-of-the-child standard under Va. Code § 20-124.3 that it uses in divorce cases. The court can also order child support in accordance with the Virginia guidelines. Spousal support, however, may not be available after an annulment because the marriage is treated as though it never existed. Each situation is unique, so it is important to seek legal advice tailored to your circumstances.
Internal Links:
Fairfax County family law representation ·
Stafford County family law attorney ·
Fauquier County family law guidance ·
Loudoun County family law practice ·
Arlington County family law services
Virginia Primary Sources:
Virginia Code Title 20 (Domestic Relations) ·
Virginia Judicial System ·
Prince William County Circuit Court
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Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.