Bigamy lawyer Baltimore, MD
Bigamy in Maryland creates legal complications that reach beyond the criminal charge—it affects the validity of a marriage, property rights, and parental relationships. Under Maryland law, a marriage entered into while one party is already lawfully married to another person is void from its inception. This means the marriage was never legally valid, and a party may need to pursue an annulment in the Circuit Court for Baltimore (Independent City) (Family Division) to obtain a judicial declaration confirming the marriage is void. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., and his Of Counsel assist clients in Baltimore with annulments, void-marriage declarations, and the related property and custody matters that arise when a bigamous marriage is discovered. The firm’s Rockville location serves clients throughout Baltimore, including Downtown, Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Canton, Federal Hill, and surrounding communities. For a consultation about a bigamy-related family law matter in Baltimore, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What bigamy means in Baltimore under Maryland family law
Bigamy is the act of entering into a marriage while already being legally married to another living person. In Maryland, a bigamous marriage is void ab initio—meaning it was never legally valid from the start—under Maryland law. This stands in contrast to a voidable marriage, which remains valid until a court declares it otherwise. Because a bigamous marriage is void, either party may seek an annulment in the Circuit Court for Baltimore (Independent City) (Family Division), located at 5800 Wabash Avenue in Baltimore. The court has jurisdiction over annulment proceedings and related matters such as property division and determinations regarding children born during the void marriage. The firm serves Baltimore communities including Charles Village, Roland Park, Hampden, Locust Point, and the greater Baltimore metropolitan area.
Baltimore residents facing bigamy-related family law issues should understand that even though the marriage is void, questions of property rights and child custody may still arise. The Circuit Court for Baltimore City handles these matters, and the process involves filing a Complaint for annulment and serving the other party. Maryland law treats children born during a void bigamous marriage as legitimate for purposes of custody, support, and inheritance under Maryland law. Bigamy also carries potential criminal consequences under Maryland law, which classifies the act as a misdemeanor—however, the family law implications, including annulment and the resolution of custody and property disputes, are handled through the Family Division of the Circuit Court. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel represent clients in Baltimore who need to address these family law consequences, from obtaining an annulment to resolving collateral disputes that arise once a bigamous marriage is discovered.
How Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle bigamy cases
When a client brings a bigamy-related concern to the firm, the first step involves evaluating the specific facts to determine the most appropriate legal approach. In many cases, an annulment is the remedy sought—a judicial declaration that the marriage was void from the start. In other situations, particularly where the other spouse has died or where significant property interests are at stake, different legal strategies may be warranted. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel review the circumstances, including when and where the prior marriage occurred, whether the other spouse was aware of the prior marriage, and what assets and children are involved. The firm then prepares and files the necessary pleadings in the Circuit Court for Baltimore (Independent City) (Family Division).
Once the appropriate legal path is identified, the process includes serving the other party, attending scheduled hearings, and presenting evidence to support the annulment or other requested relief. Because a bigamous marriage can complicate property division—since there was never a valid marital estate—Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to protect the client’s separate property interests. For matters involving children, the firm addresses custody and support under the trusted-interests standard that governs all Maryland custody determinations. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary. Throughout the process, the firm maintains communication with the client about court scheduling and case developments, and works toward a resolution that addresses both the immediate annulment and any collateral family law consequences. To discuss your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
About Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997. A former prosecutor, he is admitted 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). His experience includes representing clients in family law matters across multiple jurisdictions, including annulments, void-marriage declarations, and the property and custody issues that accompany bigamy cases. Mr. Sris leads the firm’s family law practice and works collaboratively with his Of Counsel to address the legal needs of clients in Baltimore and throughout Maryland.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary. The Of Counsel attorneys are engaged through Excella and contribute their own litigation experience to the firm’s family law practice. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team represent clients in Baltimore for bigamy-related family law matters, including annulment proceedings, property disputes, and child custody determinations. The firm serves clients from its Rockville location at 199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850, by appointment. To request a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
Frequently asked questions
What is bigamy under Maryland law?
Bigamy in Maryland is the act of marrying someone while already being legally married to another living person, and the resulting marriage is void from its inception under Maryland law. A bigamous marriage has no legal effect—it is as though the marriage never occurred. This is distinct from a voidable marriage, which remains valid unless and until a court declares it invalid. In Maryland, bigamy also constitutes a criminal misdemeanor under Maryland law. The family law remedy for a bigamous marriage is an annulment, which provides a judicial declaration confirming the marriage is void. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Is a bigamous marriage automatically void in Maryland?
Yes, a bigamous marriage is automatically void under Maryland law—it is considered void ab initio, meaning it was never legally valid from the moment it was contracted. Under Maryland law, certain marriages are expressly declared void, including marriages where one party was already married to another living person at the time of the ceremony. Because the marriage is void rather than voidable, either party may seek an annulment, and the court does not have discretion to treat the marriage as valid. Even though the marriage is void, obtaining a formal annulment decree from the Circuit Court for Baltimore (Independent City) (Family Division) provides a clear legal record and resolves questions about property and children. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How do I get an annulment for a bigamous marriage in Baltimore?
To obtain an annulment for a bigamous marriage in Baltimore, you must file a Complaint for annulment in the Circuit Court for Baltimore (Independent City) (Family Division), located at 5800 Wabash Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215. The Complaint must state the ground for annulment—in this case, that the marriage is void because one party was already married. You will need to serve the other party with the Complaint and any accompanying documents. The court may schedule a hearing to review the evidence supporting the annulment. Because procedural requirements vary depending on the specific facts, working with an experienced family law attorney helps ensure the paperwork is properly prepared and filed. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
What happens to property acquired during a bigamous marriage?
Property acquired during a bigamous marriage is generally not considered marital property subject to equitable distribution because the marriage itself was void from the start. Under Maryland law, equitable distribution applies only to property acquired during a valid marriage. Since a bigamous marriage is void ab initio, the legal framework for dividing marital property under Md. Code, Family Law § 8-205 does not apply in the same way. However, parties may still have claims based on other legal theories, such as unjust enrichment or resulting trust, for property they contributed to during the relationship. The resolution of property issues depends on the specific facts of each case. For guidance on your situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Can bigamy affect child custody in Maryland?
Yes, bigamy can affect child custody in Maryland. India is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. But children born during a bigamous marriage are treated as legitimate for custody and support purposes under Maryland law. Maryland courts apply the trusted-interests-of-the-child standard to all custody determinations, regardless of whether the parents’ marriage was valid. Factors the court considers include each parent’s fitness, the child’s relationship with each parent, the stability of each home environment, and the child’s needs. A parent’s involvement in a bigamous marriage may be relevant if it bears on their fitness or the stability they can provide, but it does not by itself disqualify a parent from seeking custody or visitation. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need a lawyer for a bigamy annulment in Baltimore?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer to file for an annulment in Baltimore, but working with an experienced family law attorney helps ensure the annulment is properly pursued and that related property and custody issues are addressed. Annulment proceedings involve specific procedural requirements, including proper service of process on the other party and presenting sufficient evidence to the court. Because a bigamous marriage can raise complex questions about property rights, child custody, and the potential interplay with criminal statutes, legal guidance helps protect your interests. An attorney can also help you understand whether annulment is the appropriate remedy or whether other legal avenues should be explored. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Our firm handles family law matters across Maryland. Learn more about our practice in these counties:
Family law attorney in Montgomery County, MD • Family law attorney in Prince George’s County, MD • Family law attorney in Howard County, MD • Family law attorney in Anne Arundel County, MD • Family law attorney in Frederick County, MD
Primary legal sources for Maryland family law:
Maryland Family Law Code • Maryland Courts • Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves clients from its Rockville location at 199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850. By appointment only. Call (888) 437-7747.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.
A broader discussion, covering all of Maryland, appears on bigamy.