Bigamy lawyer Middlesex County, NJ

When a marriage is entered into while one spouse is still lawfully married to another person, New Jersey law treats that union as void from the outset. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents individuals in Middlesex County who face the family-law consequences of bigamy—annulment, property division, child custody, and related financial matters—not the criminal prosecution of a bigamy charge. If you have learned that your spouse’s prior marriage was never dissolved, you may need to unwind the legal relationship, protect your assets, and secure a parenting plan for your children. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel work with clients in New Brunswick, Edison, Woodbridge, and the surrounding communities to pursue annulments and other appropriate remedies through the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division — Family Part in Middlesex County. For a consultation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

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What Bigamy Means in Middlesex County

A bigamous marriage occurs when one party already has a living spouse at the time of the ceremony. Under New Jersey law, such a marriage is void ab initio—it carries no legal effect from the start. Unlike a divorce that ends a valid marriage, an annulment based on bigamy declares that the marriage never existed. However, the practical consequences are still significant: issues of property acquired during the relationship, child custody, child support, and even potential claims for financial compensation must be resolved in Family Part.

The Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex Vicinage, located at 56 Paterson Street in New Brunswick, handles all family-law matters arising from a bigamous union. The court may address applications for an annulment, a declaration of voidness, and related orders concerning the welfare of children born during the relationship. Because bigamy touches on both the validity of the marriage and the rights of the parties, representation in these proceedings requires an attorney familiar with the local Family Part procedures, including the mandatory Early Settlement Panel process unique to New Jersey and the detailed financial disclosure required through the Case Information Statement.

Middlesex County’s large and diverse population—spanning communities such as Edison, Piscataway, Perth Amboy, and South Brunswick—means that family-law issues like bigamy can cross international borders. Marriages celebrated abroad that are invalid in one jurisdiction may still create confusion here. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Regularly works with clients whose personal histories involve multiple countries, religions, and legal systems, ensuring that the voidness or validity of a marriage is properly addressed under New Jersey’s equitable-distribution framework.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Handle Bigamy Cases

Addressing a bigamous marriage begins with a thorough evaluation of the facts: when and where the prior marriage occurred, whether it was ever legally dissolved, and the status of any children born during the later union. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel then advise on the appropriate filing—typically a Complaint for Annulment or a Complaint for a Declaratory Judgment that the marriage is void. Because New Jersey is an equitable-distribution state, property acquired during the period of cohabitation may still be subject to division, even if the marriage is void, particularly if the parties relied on the appearance of a valid union.

The procedural path in Middlesex County Superior Court includes case-management conferences to establish discovery schedules, mandatory financial disclosures through Case Information Statements, and, when appropriate, mediation or an Early Settlement Panel to attempt negotiated resolution. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel work to protect the client’s parental rights and financial interests while Handling the unique procedural requirements of the Middlesex Vicinage. Every case is fact-dependent; the timeline and outcome vary with the complexity of the issues, whether children are involved, and whether the other spouse contests the annulment. Throughout the process, the team maintains open communication so that clients understand each step and can make informed decisions.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Team

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor who now focuses his practice on family law, criminal defense, and immigration matters across five jurisdictions. As Owner and Founder, Mr. Sris appears in New Jersey courts and works alongside a team of experienced Of Counsel attorneys to address complex family-law issues, including annulments based on bigamy. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), a bill that revised Virginia’s equitable-distribution statute—a credential that reflects his depth of experience in the financial aspects of marital dissolution. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary. The firm serves clients from its New Jersey location and can be reached at (888) 437-7747.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bigamy under New Jersey law?

Bigamy is the act of marrying someone while still being lawfully married to another person, rendering the subsequent marriage void from the start. In New Jersey, a bigamous marriage has no legal force or effect, meaning it is as if the marriage never occurred. This can affect property division, spousal support, and inheritance rights. The innocent party—the one who did not know about the prior marriage—may be able to seek an annulment through the Family Part of the Superior Court. Unlike a divorce, an annulment does not require grounds such as irreconcilable differences; it simply requires proof that the marriage was void. A court may still need to address child custody and support if children were born during the union, using the trusted-interests-of-the-child standard with its 14 statutory factors.

Can I get an annulment if my spouse was already married?

Yes, an annulment is the appropriate remedy when a marriage is void because one spouse already had a living husband or wife at the time of the ceremony. Unlike a divorce, which ends a valid marriage, an annulment declares that the marriage was never legally valid. You must file a complaint in the Superior Court, Chancery Division – Family Part, and present evidence of the prior undissolved marriage. If the court grants the annulment, the marriage is considered void ab initio. However, the court may still decide issues of child custody, parenting time, and child support for any children born during the union. Property acquired together during the relationship may also be subject to equitable distribution, even though the marriage itself is declared void.

How does bigamy affect child custody in Middlesex County?

A bigamous marriage does not affect a parent’s legal rights to custody or parenting time; the court decides those matters based on the best interests of the child. In Middlesex County, the Family Part judge will evaluate the 14 statutory factors when determining custody, regardless of whether the marriage was void. The voidness of the marriage does not change the fact that both parents have obligations to support their children. The court may also order child support calculated under the New Jersey Child Support Guidelines. If there is a dispute over custody, the court could appoint a parenting coordinator or order a custody evaluation. Having an attorney helps ensure that the legal focus remains on the child’s needs and not solely on the invalidity of the marriage.

Do I need a lawyer for a bigamy annulment in New Jersey?

While you are not required to have a lawyer to file for an annulment, legal guidance is strongly recommended because bigamy cases often involve complex issues of property division, child custody, and proof of prior marriages. The annulment process requires filing the correct pleadings, serving the other party, and often Handling the Early Settlement Panel system unique to New Jersey. Without counsel, a party may unknowingly waive claims to property acquired during the relationship or fail to secure appropriate child-support orders. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can help you understand your rights and the procedural steps in the Middlesex County Family Part. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

What happens to property acquired during a bigamous marriage?

Even though the marriage is void, New Jersey courts may still divide property acquired by the parties during their relationship under equitable-distribution principles, particularly if one party relied on the apparent validity of the union. The court considers factors such as the length of the relationship, the contributions of each party, and whether it would be unfair to leave one party without a share of assets when the other party concealed the prior marriage. In some cases, the court may treat the property as if the parties were in a de facto marital partnership and apply principles similar to those in a divorce. The specific outcome depends on the facts; consulting with an experienced family-law attorney can help you evaluate what claims you may assert or defend against.

Primary Legal Sources: New Jersey Legislature (Statutes) | New Jersey Courts | Middlesex Vicinage

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris. Results may vary. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.

Beyond Middlesex County, these charges are addressed on our statewide page about bigamy in New Jersey.