Bigamy lawyer St. Mary’s County, MD

If you are facing questions about a marriage that may involve bigamy — whether you need to annul a marriage you discovered is void, or you are defending against allegations that could affect your family law matters in St. Mary’s County — having an experienced family law attorney on your side is essential. Bigamy, the act of marrying one person while still legally married to another, has profound consequences under Maryland law. It renders the second marriage void from the beginning and can affect everything from property division to child custody determinations. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Concentrates its family law practice on the full range of marriage-validity issues, including bigamy, annulment, and the related civil proceedings that arise in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder, and his Of Counsel team work with clients in Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Great Mills, Hollywood, Mechanicsville, and throughout St. Mary’s County to address these sensitive matters with the attention they require. To request a consultation, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Last reviewed: July 2026

What Bigamy Means in St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Under Maryland law, a marriage is void ab initio if either party had a living spouse at the time of the marriage. This means that a bigamous marriage is deemed never to have been legally valid. The legal foundation for annulling a bigamous marriage is set out in Maryland Code, Family Law § 2-406, which lists bigamy as a ground for annulment. When a St. Mary’s County resident or someone married here discovers that their spouse was already married, the remedy is to file a complaint for annulment in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, located at 23110 Leonard Hall Drive in Leonardtown. The court will determine the validity of the marriage and address any related issues such as the status of children born during the void marriage, which can affect custody and support arrangements.

While bigamy also carries criminal implications under Maryland Criminal Law Article § 10-501, a family law practice focuses on the civil side — the marriage itself and its dissolution. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel represent clients in annulment actions and in related family law proceedings that can arise from a void marriage, including equitable distribution of property acquired during the union, as Maryland is an equitable distribution state. In St. Mary’s County, such matters are handled in the Circuit Court’s family division, where judges apply the same best-interest-of-the-child standard for custody as in any other family law case. Understanding the interplay between the void-marriage doctrine and practical family law outcomes requires familiarity with both the statutory framework and local court practice.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Bigamy Cases

When you engage Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for a bigamy-related family law matter, you work with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team. The process begins with a thorough review of the facts: the dates of each marriage, the divorce decrees or death certificates of any prior spouse, and the legal status of any children. Because a bigamous marriage is void, there is technically no marital property to divide, but the practical reality is often more complex. Maryland courts can recognize equitable claims where parties lived together in good faith, and they will still determine child custody and support just as they would for children of a valid marriage. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel develop a strategy that addresses the annulment, property questions, and parenting arrangements holistically.

Filing for annulment in St. Mary’s County means initiating a case in the Circuit Court. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle complaint drafting, service of process, and, if necessary, hearings on temporary matters while the case is pending. Because Maryland’s annulment statutes do not impose a fixed timeline, the process moves at the court’s calendar pace. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work toward a resolution that minimizes conflict and protects the client’s interests in any custody and property disputes that accompany the annulment. Throughout, the goal is a clear legal declaration that the marriage was void, along with a parenting plan and any financial accommodations that are fair under the circumstances.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced family law across multiple jurisdictions since 1997. He brings the perspective of a former prosecutor to family law matters, including bigamy cases that may intersect with criminal investigations. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His Of Counsel team includes attorneys with extensive combined legal experience. Together, they represent clients in St. Mary’s County family court proceedings, including annulment actions grounded in bigamy.

Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to bigamy and other marriage-validity disputes. Results may vary. The firm’s Rockville location serves clients throughout Maryland, including St. Mary’s County, through Mr. Sris’s lead on family law matters and the support of his Of Counsel. Reach our Rockville location at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. The firm practices in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the legal consequences of a bigamous marriage in St. Mary’s County?

A bigamous marriage is void from the start and has no legal effect. Maryland law treats such a marriage as if it never occurred, so no divorce is needed. However, to obtain a court order declaring the marriage void and to resolve custody, child support, or property acquired during the union, you must file for annulment in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County. The court will also address the legitimacy of any children born during the void marriage, as Maryland law generally considers them legitimate for purposes of support and inheritance. Because the annulment decree impacts many aspects of your family life, it is advisable to work with a lawyer who understands the local court’s practices.

Can a bigamous marriage affect child custody and support in St. Mary’s County?

Yes, a bigamous marriage can still lead to custody and support orders just as a valid marriage would. Maryland courts apply the trusted-interest standard to determine custody of any children born during the union, regardless of the marriage’s validity. Child support is calculated under the Maryland child support guidelines based on the parents’ incomes and the amount of parenting time each parent exercises. The court will also hear requests for temporary support while the annulment case is pending. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel represent parents in these proceedings to protect their relationship with their children.

How do I file for an annulment based on bigamy in St. Mary’s County?

You initiate an annulment by filing a Complaint for Annulment in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County. The complaint must state the facts showing that the marriage is void due to bigamy, including details of the previous marriage and the status of that marriage at the time of the second ceremony. Proper service on the other spouse is required. The court may hold a hearing to take evidence, and if satisfied, it will enter a decree of annulment. Because procedural rules and filing requirements can be technical, many people choose to have an attorney prepare and file the complaint on their behalf.

What defenses are available if my spouse accuses me of bigamy in a family law case?

The primary defense is to show that the prior marriage was legally dissolved or annulled before the second marriage took place. If the first marriage ended in divorce or death of the prior spouse, the marriage is not bigamous. In some situations, a party may also argue that they reasonably believed the prior marriage was void or that they entered the second marriage in good faith after a legal separation, but Maryland does not recognize a “good faith” exception to bigamy as a ground for annulment. Working with an attorney to gather marriage records, divorce decrees, and other evidence is critical to presenting the defense effectively in a Circuit Court hearing.

How long does a bigamy annulment take in St. Mary’s County?

The timeline varies by case complexity and the court’s calendar. If the facts are uncontested and both parties agree that the marriage is void, an annulment can be resolved relatively quickly once the complaint is filed and served. When child custody or property issues are disputed, or when one party contests the annulment, the case may take longer and involve multiple court appearances. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to move the case forward efficiently while protecting the client’s interests throughout the process.

Do I need a lawyer for a bigamy annulment in St. Mary’s County?

While you are not legally required to have a lawyer, the legal issues surrounding a void marriage can be unexpectedly complex. An annulment is more than a simple declaration; it often involves determining property rights, resolving parenting issues, and sometimes dealing with simultaneous divorce proceedings in another jurisdiction. A family law attorney can guide you through the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court process and help you understand the full range of outcomes. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Family law matters in other Maryland counties:
Montgomery County family law attorney |
Prince George’s County family law attorney |
Howard County family law attorney |
Anne Arundel County family law attorney

Official Maryland resources:
Maryland Code, Family Law § 2-406 (Annulment) |
Maryland Courts Directory |
Maryland Statutes

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