Bigamy lawyer Near Me
Discovering that your marriage may involve bigamy—one party already legally married to someone else—can feel overwhelming. A bigamous marriage is void from its inception in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and it can create serious legal consequences for property division, spousal support, child custody, and even immigration status. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Concentrates its practice in family law, including matters arising from a marriage that is allegedly void or voidable due to bigamy. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel team understand the urgency of these situations and work to protect your rights and clarify your legal standing. Whether you need to annul a bigamous marriage, pursue a divorce from a spouse who concealed another marriage, or address custody and support issues, we can help. 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 Family Law Means in Bigamy Cases
In the context of family law, bigamy is more than a criminal offense—it directly affects the validity of a marriage and the legal rights that flow from it. In all five jurisdictions where the firm practices, a marriage entered into by a person who is already lawfully married to another is void from the start. This means the second marriage never legally existed. Yet, the practical consequences are very real: if the couple has children together, custody and support issues must be resolved; jointly acquired property may need to be sorted out under equitable principles rather than equitable distribution statutes that presume a valid marriage; and in some cases, an innocent spouse may seek spousal maintenance within a divorce proceeding after first obtaining a declaration that the marriage is void.
Courts in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York treat bigamous marriages differently for purposes of property division than they treat divorces from valid marriages. Because the marriage is void, there is no marital estate to divide under typical equitable distribution rules. However, partners who have lived together for years often commingle assets. Resolving property claims in that situation may require theories of unjust enrichment, constructive trust, or partition, which fall under civil litigation rather than standard divorce procedure. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel draw on their experience in both family law and civil litigation to craft appropriate solutions for clients who are entangled in a void marriage.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Handle Bigamy Cases
Every bigamy situation is unique, and the firm takes a methodical, fact-intensive approach to each matter. First, Mr. Sris or a member of the firm’s Of Counsel team will gather the evidence needed to establish the bigamous nature of the marriage: marriage certificates, divorce decrees from any prior marriages, records from the other spouse, and any relevant communications. Because the burden of proof falls on the party seeking to invalidate the marriage, detailed documentation is essential. We then determine the appropriate procedural vehicle—an annulment petition, a complaint for divorce coupled with a request for declaratory relief, or a standalone civil action for property or support claims.
Because bigamy can also trigger criminal investigations, the firm coordinates with the client on any criminal exposure, though Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel focus on the family law and civil aspects. Throughout the process, the firm works to resolve the matter as efficiently as possible while keeping the client informed about timelines, court expectations, and potential outcomes. The goal is to bring legal certainty to your status so you can move forward—whether that means reclaiming your property, establishing child custody arrangements, or simply closing a chapter that never should have opened.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has practiced law since 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and he personally leads the firm’s family law matters. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), a law that updated Virginia’s equitable distribution framework. His background gives him a comprehensive understanding of how marriage, property, and support laws intersect.
Mr. Sris collaborates with Of Counsel attorneys, each of whom has over a decade of practice experience. Together, they bring extensive combined legal experience to bigamy and other complex family law cases. The team handles matters throughout the firm’s multi-state locations and is available for consultations by appointment. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bigamy and how does it affect my marriage?
Bigamy occurs when a person intentionally marries while still legally married to another person, making the second marriage void from its inception. In Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, a bigamous marriage is treated as if it never existed. This can have far-reaching consequences: property acquired during the void marriage is not automatically divided under divorce laws, and spousal support may be unavailable through standard marriage-dissolution formulas. Additionally, bigamy can create immigration complications if a non‑citizen obtained a green card through a fraudulent marriage. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to learn how an experienced family law attorney can help you Handling these issues.
Do I need a lawyer if I believe my spouse committed bigamy?
While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer, consulting an experienced family law attorney is strongly recommended when bigamy is suspected. Proving that a marriage is void often requires gathering official records from multiple jurisdictions, serving discovery on the other spouse, and presenting clear evidence to a court. An attorney can guide you through the annulment or divorce process, protect your property interests, and help you secure child custody and support orders. Furthermore, if the bigamous spouse has pending criminal charges, an attorney can advise you on how those proceedings may affect the family law case. For a consultation about your specific facts, call (888) 437-7747.
Can a bigamous marriage be annulled, and how is that different from divorce?
Yes, a bigamous marriage can be annulled because it is void from the start; an annulment declares that no valid marriage ever existed, unlike a divorce, which ends a valid marriage. The advantage of an annulment is that it wipes the slate clean legally—there is no marital estate to divide under equitable distribution and, generally, no ground for ongoing spousal support based on the marriage. However, courts may still provide financial relief through other civil remedies if one party was misled. Annulment procedures vary by state, and Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel handle annulment cases in all firm jurisdictions. To discuss whether annulment or another approach is right for you, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How does bigamy affect child custody and support?
Child custody and support are determined based on the best interests of the child, regardless of whether the parents’ marriage was void. Courts in all five firm jurisdictions will establish custody, visitation, and support orders for children born during a bigamous union just as they would for children of unmarried parents. The fact that the marriage was bigamous does not diminish a parent’s rights or obligations. However, the void marriage can complicate other aspects of the case, such as whether the parties have standing to seek spousal maintenance. India is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel are experienced in handling child-related issues that arise from invalid marriages. Contact us at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.
What if I am the one accused of bigamy?
If you are accused of bigamy, It’s important to seek legal advice immediately, as you may face both criminal charges and family law consequences. From a family law perspective, the validity of your marriage is at stake, and you could lose property claims, spousal support, or custody rights. The firm’s focus is on the civil and family law aspects—helping you understand your legal position, defending against annulment or divorce claims, and protecting your relationship with your children. While Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Does not represent clients in criminal bigamy prosecution, Mr. Sris’s background as a former prosecutor provides valuable insight into how the criminal case may influence the family law matter. Call (888) 437-7747 to discuss your situation with a member of our team.
How do I find a bigamy lawyer near me?
To find an experienced bigamy attorney, consider a firm that practices across multiple states and handles the family law implications of void marriages. Bigamy cases often span more than one jurisdiction because the prior marriage may have occurred or been dissolved in another state or country. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves clients in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, giving the firm the cross‑jurisdictional knowledge to address complex marriage‑validity questions. Consultations are available by appointment, and phones are answered 24 hours a day. Call (888) 437-7747 today to speak with a team member about your needs.
Official resources:
- Virginia Code Title 20 — Domestic Relations
- Virginia Courts — court rules and forms
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