Marriage Annulment Lawyer Manassas, VA
If you are considering seeking an annulment in Manassas, Virginia, you are likely working through a deeply personal family law matter. An annulment is a legal proceeding that declares a marriage void or voidable, as if it never legally existed, under Virginia law. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience to family law matters, including marriage annulment cases filed in the Manassas Circuit Court. Results may vary. We serve clients throughout Manassas, Prince William County, and surrounding communities. Reach our firm at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Marriage Annulment Means in Manassas
In Virginia, a marriage annulment is not a divorce—it is a legal action that treats the marriage as if it never occurred. The grounds for annulment are set out in Va. Code § 20‑89.1 and include situations where the marriage was prohibited from inception, such as a party already being legally married to another (bigamy), marriages between close relatives, or situations involving fraud, duress, or incapacity at the time of the ceremony. For a Manassas resident, an annulment petition must be filed in the Circuit Court for the City of Manassas, which has jurisdiction over domestic relations matters including annulment, divorce, and equitable distribution.
The Manassas Circuit Court, located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110, handles all annulment proceedings. At least one party must have been a bona fide resident and domiciliary of Virginia for six months before filing, as required by Va. Code § 20‑97. Because the grounds for annulment are narrow and fact‑specific, a petitioner must demonstrate that the marriage falls within one of the statutory categories. Our Fairfax location serves individuals across the Manassas area and appears regularly in this courthouse for family law matters.
Annulment differs from divorce in significant ways: a divorce ends a valid marriage, whereas an annulment retroactively erases it. Property division, if any, may be handled differently because the parties are not deemed to have accumulated marital property in the same way. However, when children are involved, custody and support may still be determined by the court using the trusted‑interest factors under Va. Code § 20‑124.3. Understanding these distinctions is critical, and consulting an experienced family law attorney can help you decide whether an annulment is the right path forward.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Marriage Annulment Cases
Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys approach every annulment case with a thorough evaluation of the specific facts and the applicable statutory grounds. The process begins with an in‑depth consultation to determine whether the marriage meets the legal criteria for annulment in Virginia. Because the burden of proof rests on the party seeking annulment, we assist in gathering and organizing evidence such as marriage certificates, witness statements, and any records that support claims of fraud, duress, lack of capacity, or other qualifying grounds.
Once the grounds are established, we draft and file the petition for annulment with the Manassas Circuit Court and ensure proper service of process on the other spouse. If the other party contests the annulment, we represent our client’s interests through pleadings, discovery, and, if necessary, trial. Throughout the proceeding, we remain attentive to related issues like spousal support or child custody that may need to be addressed even if the marriage is declared void. Our goal is to resolve the matter efficiently while protecting our client’s rights and interests.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has practiced family law since founding the firm in 1997. He is admitted to the bars of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris works closely with the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys, who collectively bring extensive combined legal experience to matters like marriage annulment, divorce, child custody, and equitable distribution. This collaborative approach allows us to address the legal and personal dimensions of each case with thorough preparation.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys have a strong familiarity with the procedures and expectations of the Manassas Circuit Court and other courts throughout Northern Virginia. While Mr. Sris oversees the direction of family law matters, the team works together to build a case that presents each client’s situation clearly to the court. To discuss your marriage annulment in Manassas, reach Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at (888) 437-7747.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an annulment in Virginia?
An annulment is a legal decree that declares a marriage void or voidable, as though it never legally existed, based on grounds set forth in Va. Code § 20‑89.1. Unlike a divorce, which ends a valid marriage, an annulment retroactively erases the marriage. Grounds include situations such as bigamy, incest, fraud, duress, mental incapacity, or impotence existing at the time of the marriage. Annulment cases are heard in the Circuit Court, and the petitioner must prove the specific ground by a preponderance of the evidence. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.
How does an annulment differ from a divorce in Virginia?
An annulment treats a marriage as if it never happened, while a divorce terminates a valid marriage and divides marital assets and debts. Divorce in Virginia may be based on fault or no‑fault grounds, and equitable distribution of marital property applies. In an annulment, there may be no marital estate to divide because the union is deemed invalid from the start. However, the court can still decide custody and support for children born of the marriage under the trusted‑interest factors. To determine which path fits your situation, speak with an experienced family law attorney at (888) 437‑7747.
What are the grounds for annulment under Virginia law?
Virginia Code § 20‑89.1 authorizes annulment on grounds that include bigamy, prohibited familial relationships, fraud, duress, mental incapacity, or physical incapacity (impotence) at the time of the marriage. The statute also permits annulment if the marriage was solemnized under a fraudulent license or if consent was obtained by force or fraud concerning the essentials of the marriage. Each ground requires specific evidence, and the court must find that the defect existed at the time the marriage was contracted. If you are uncertain whether your marriage qualifies, reach our firm to discuss the details.
What is the process for obtaining an annulment in Manassas?
The process involves filing a petition for annulment in the Manassas Circuit Court, serving the other spouse, and presenting evidence at a hearing. First, you must meet Virginia’s six‑month residency requirement. Next, the petition must state the specific ground for annulment and be supported by corroborating evidence. The court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must prove the ground. If the annulment is granted, the judge issues a decree declaring the marriage void. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle all stages, from drafting the petition to representation in court. Contact us at (888) 437‑7747 to learn more.
Do I need a lawyer for an annulment in Manassas?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer to file for annulment, but an attorney can help ensure that the proper grounds are invoked and that procedural requirements are met. Annulments involve strict statutory grounds and rules of evidence; a misstep can result in dismissal or unnecessary delay. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys are familiar with the Manassas Circuit Court and can guide you through the process, gather necessary proof, and represent your interests at trial. For a consultation, reach us at (888) 437‑7747.
Related family law pages:
Prince William County family law lawyer |
Fairfax County family law lawyer |
Manassas Park family law lawyer |
Falls Church family law lawyer
Virginia legal resources:
Virginia Code § 20‑89.1 (annulment) |
Manassas Circuit Court |
Virginia Judicial System
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary.
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder
Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York
Practicing since 1997
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.