Bigamy lawyer Prince William County, VA
Bigamy—entering a marriage while still legally married to another person—is a serious offense in Virginia, classified as a felony under Virginia Code § 18.2‑362. A bigamous marriage also creates a cascade of family law consequences in a jurisdiction where divorce, annulment, property division, spousal support, and child custody are already governed by detailed statutes. India is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Clients in Prince William County and throughout the 31st Judicial District who are dealing with a bigamous marriage, whether as the unknowing spouse or the accused party, need a lawyer who understands both the criminal implications and the family‑law fallout. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Concentrates its practice in family law and represents clients in Prince William County Circuit Court and the Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have handled matters involving void and voidable marriages for over 28 years, and they assist individuals seeking an annulment, a divorce, or a modification of support and custody orders when a bigamy issue arises. For a consultation, call (888) 437‑7747.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Bigamy Means in Prince William County, Virginia
Virginia law defines bigamy under Va. Code § 18.2‑362 as marrying another person while a lawful spouse is still living and the prior marriage is still in force. A bigamous marriage is void from the start. In the family law context, this void status can directly affect how courts in the 31st Judicial Circuit approach a divorce, an annulment, and the division of property. Prince William County Circuit Court, located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, Virginia 20110, has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce and annulment actions, while the Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court adjudicates support and custody disputes that may follow. Because a bigamous marriage is legally null, it can eliminate certain spousal-support claims and alter how property accumulated during the relationship is classified. An experienced family law attorney in Prince William County will walk a client through the distinction between a marriage that is void *ab initio* and one that may be voidable, helping the person understand whether an annulment or a divorce is the appropriate remedy.
The consequences of bigamy reach beyond the dissolution of the marriage. If children were born during a bigamous union, custody and visitation rights may still be litigated under the trusted‑interests factors in Va. Code § 20‑124.3, and child support will be calculated under the guidelines in Va. Code § 20‑108.1, regardless of the marriage’s validity. Additionally, property acquired during the period of the void marriage is not treated as marital property subject to equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20‑107.3 in the same way as property of a valid marriage; the court may instead view certain assets through the lens of partition or other civil remedies. The outcome depends heavily on the specific facts—whether the bigamous spouse was aware of the prior marriage, how long the parties lived together, and the financial arrangements they made. A lawyer who practices in Prince William County family law can examine the court’s past treatment of similar cases and help the client anticipate how the local bench might rule.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Bigamy‑Related Family Law Matters
When a client contacts Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. about a bigamy‑related family law issue, the first step is a consultation to understand the full picture: the status of any prior marriages, the timeline of the contested marriage, whether a divorce or annulment has been filed, and the presence of children or significant assets. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel then identify the appropriate venue. For an annulment or divorce, the complaint is filed in the Prince William County Circuit Court. If emergency custody, child support, or a protective order is needed, proceedings begin in the Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The team works to ensure that all notice requirements are met, particularly if one spouse resides outside Virginia or the United States, and that the pleadings correctly frame the marriage as void rather than merely voidable.
After the initial filings, the attorney pursues a case strategy tailored to the client’s objectives. If the goal is an annulment, the focus is on presenting evidence that the marriage was bigamous from its inception—evidence that often includes prior marriage records, witness affidavits, and documentation of the other spouse’s knowledge of the prior marriage. If the client prefers a divorce, the attorney addresses the grounds available under Va. Code § 20‑91, even if the marriage is void, to resolve ancillary issues such as property division and custody. The firm also assists with criminal defense when the client faces a bigamy charge, using its prosecutorial experience and familiarity with Prince William County General District Court procedures to work toward a resolution that does not unduly disrupt the family law case. Throughout the process, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel keep the client informed of the court’s scheduling and any opportunities to resolve matters through a property settlement agreement, mediation, or a negotiated plea.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., began his legal career as a prosecutor before founding the firm in 1997. A former prosecutor, he brings a thorough understanding of how criminal cases are built, which is especially useful when a bigamy matter carries both criminal and family‑law dimensions. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and he has concentrated his practice in family law for more than 28 years. He testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), a bill that revised the equitable‑distribution statute. His Of Counsel team—attorneys engaged through Excella—includes former state prosecutors and a former Virginia State Trooper, all of whom bring trial experience and knowledge of Prince William County’s court system. Over 120 years of combined legal experience between Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, backed by 4,739+ documented firm-wide results, equips the firm to address the intersecting criminal, family, and property issues that a bigamy case presents. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bigamy under Virginia law?
Bigamy is the act of marrying someone while legally married to another living person, and it is a Class 4 felony under Va. Code § 18.2‑362. A bigamous marriage is void from the beginning. In Virginia, no divorce is legally required to end a void marriage, but parties often seek an annulment or a divorce to obtain clear court orders on property, support, and custody. The Prince William County Circuit Court adjudicates annulment and divorce cases, while custody and support matters may also be heard in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. An experienced attorney can explain which legal avenue makes the most sense for your circumstances.
How does a bigamous marriage affect property division in a Prince William County divorce?
Because a bigamous marriage is void, property accumulated during that relationship is generally not classified as marital property subject to equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20‑107.3. Instead, the court may treat the assets as if they were acquired by unmarried individuals, resorting to common‑law principles of partition or unjust enrichment to resolve ownership disputes. However, if the parties held themselves out as married for many years and commingled funds, a judge in Prince William County Circuit Court may still fashion an equitable remedy, especially when children are involved. A family law lawyer can help you present evidence of how assets were acquired, who contributed to them, and whether any agreement existed between the parties.
Can a bigamous marriage be annulled in Prince William County?
Yes, an annulment is the traditional remedy for a bigamous marriage in Virginia, and the action is filed in the Prince William County Circuit Court. Unlike a divorce, an annulment declares the marriage void from the start, as if it never legally existed. To obtain an annulment, the petitioning spouse must present proof that a prior, undissolved marriage was in place at the time of the ceremony. Once the annulment is granted, the court can still enter orders regarding child custody, visitation, and support, but spousal support may not be available because no valid marriage existed. A lawyer can help you gather the necessary documentation and prepare the complaint for filing.
Does a bigamy conviction affect child custody in Virginia?
A bigamy conviction does not automatically strip a parent of custody rights, but it can be a factor a court considers when determining the best interests of the child. In Prince William County, custody decisions are made under Va. Code § 20‑124.3, which allows the judge to examine each parent’s fitness, the child’s relationship with the parent, and any history of criminal conduct or moral turpitude. A felony conviction for bigamy could raise questions about a parent’s judgment and stability. However, a parent may still obtain custody or generous visitation if they can show they have provided a safe and nurturing environment. An attorney can present evidence of the parent’s positive role in the child’s life and argue that the conviction should not be the controlling factor.
Do I need a lawyer for a bigamy‑related family law matter in Prince William County?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer to file an annulment or divorce in Virginia, but the procedural and evidentiary challenges of a bigamy case make legal guidance highly advisable. Proving that a prior marriage was never dissolved often requires obtaining records from other states or countries, serving parties who may be difficult to locate, and persuading a judge that the marriage is void rather than merely voidable. Mistakes in the pleading can delay the case or expose a party to continued financial entanglement. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have practiced in Prince William County courts since 1997 and are familiar with the local filing requirements and judicial preferences—insights that are difficult for a self‑represented litigant to replicate. For a consultation, call (888) 437‑7747.
Related Family Law Services in Northern Virginia:
Fairfax County Family Law Attorney | Stafford County Family Law Attorney | Fauquier County Family Law Attorney | Loudoun County Family Law Attorney | Arlington County Family Law Attorney
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