Arlington County Annulment Lawyer — Is Your Marriage Eligible for Annulment?
An annulment in Arlington County is a legal decree that a marriage is void from its start, unlike a divorce which ends a valid marriage. Grounds are strict under Virginia law, including bigamy, incest, or fraud. An experienced annulment lawyer Arlington County from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can assess your case. We have documented results in Arlington courts. Call 703-589-9250 for a case review.
Virginia Annulment Law and Grounds
Virginia law provides specific, narrow grounds for annulment, treating the marriage as if it never legally existed. The primary statute governing void and voidable marriages is Va. Code § 20-45.1. A marriage annulment petition lawyer Arlington County must prove one of these statutory grounds exists.
Last verified: April 2026 | Arlington County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to family law matters. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, demonstrating deep involvement in state family law.
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Virginia’s marriage laws, review Va. Code § 20-45.1 (official Virginia General Assembly). For Arlington County court procedures and forms, visit the Arlington County Circuit Court website.
Arlington County Annulment Process
Filing for an annulment in Arlington County requires precise steps, as the court scrutinizes these petitions closely. The Arlington County Circuit Court at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd handles all annulment cases. A key local procedural fact is that the burden of proof is on the petitioner to provide clear and convincing evidence of the grounds for annulment, which is a higher standard than in some other family law matters.
- Consult with an attorney to determine if you have valid grounds for an annulment under Virginia law.
- Your attorney will gather necessary evidence, such as marriage certificates, proof of bigamy, or documentation of fraud.
- File a formal Bill of Complaint for Annulment with the Arlington County Circuit Court clerk and pay the filing fee.
- Serve the complaint and a summons on your spouse according to Virginia rules of service.
- Attend any required court hearings to present evidence supporting the annulment grounds.
- If successful, obtain the court’s Final Decree of Annulment, legally voiding the marriage.
Grounds for Annulment in Virginia
In Arlington County, an annulment can be granted only for specific legal reasons that make a marriage void or voidable from the beginning.
| Grounds for Annulment | Type | Key Consideration | Time Limit to File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bigamy (One party was already married) | Void | Marriage is automatically invalid; no time limit to challenge. | None |
| Incest (Parties are too closely related) | Void | Marriage is prohibited by law and never valid. | None |
| Underage marriage without proper consent/court approval | Voidable | The underage party can affirm the marriage upon reaching age. | Before minor turns 18 |
| Lack of mental capacity to consent | Voidable | Must prove incapacity at the exact time of the marriage ceremony. | Reasonable time after regaining capacity |
| Fraud (Intentional deception on a vital matter) | Voidable | Fraud must go to the essence of the marriage (e.g., intent not to have children, hidden addiction). | Must be filed promptly after discovering fraud |
| Force or duress | Voidable | Consent was obtained through threats or coercion. | Must be filed promptly after coercion ends |
| Physical incapacity (and unknown to the other party) | Voidable | Incapacity must exist at the time of marriage and be incurable. | Within one year of marriage |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Authority in Arlington Family Law
Our firm’s deep roots in Virginia family law provide a significant advantage. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and a former prosecutor, personally worked to amend Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute. This unique experience with the legislative process informs our strategic approach to all family law cases, including complex annulments where property division may still be an issue if assets were commingled.
Samantha Rae Powers, Associate Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA, FL. Experienced family law and civil litigator. View Samantha Rae Powers’s Profile
Case Experience in Arlington County
While annulments are less common than divorces, our attorneys have successfully handled family law matters in Arlington County courts. We have a total of 115 documented case results across all practice areas in Arlington County. For example, our team has successfully resolved complex marital issues that involved allegations of fraud and misrepresentation. Mr. Sris, with his multi-state bar admissions and background as a former prosecutor, provides strategic oversight on complex family law matters, ensuring a thorough analysis of every case.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Arlington County Annulment Attorney Near You
Our Arlington location is minutes from the Arlington County Courthouse, accessible via major routes. We serve as your local annulment lawyer Arlington County for neighborhoods including Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, and Pentagon City.
24/7 phone consultations — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
Arlington Location
1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700
Arlington, VA 22209
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250
By appointment only.
Annulment in Arlington County: FAQs
What is the difference between an annulment and a divorce in Virginia?
An annulment legally declares a marriage void, as if it never existed, based on specific grounds at the time of marriage. A divorce dissolves a legally valid marriage. An experienced void marriage lawyer Arlington County can advise which action applies to your situation.
How long does an annulment take in Arlington County?
It depends on the grounds, if the other party contests it, and the court’s schedule. An uncontested annulment with clear evidence may take a few months. A contested case, especially one based on fraud, can take significantly longer as it may require a full trial.
Can I get an annulment if my spouse lied to me?
Possibly, but Virginia law is strict. The lie must constitute fraud on a vital matter central to the marriage contract, such as intent not to have children, concealment of a serious addiction, or hiding a criminal past. Simple deception may not be sufficient grounds.
What happens to property and children after an annulment?
Since an annulment voids the marriage, equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3 does not automatically apply. However, the court can use principles of constructive trust or unjust enrichment to divide property. Children from an annulled marriage are still considered legitimate, and custody and support orders are established separately in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
How much does it cost to file for an annulment in Arlington?
The filing fee for a Bill of Complaint in Arlington County Circuit Court is approximately $86. Additional costs include fees for serving legal papers and potentially for experienced witnesses if needed to prove grounds like mental incapacity. Attorney fees vary based on case complexity.
For more information on divorce, see our Virginia Family Law hub page. We also assist with related matters like criminal defense in Arlington County and DUI defense in Arlington County.
Last verified: April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.