Annulment in Arlington County is governed by Va. Code § 20-89.1, which allows a court to declare a marriage void from its inception on grounds such as fraud, bigamy, incest, or lack of capacity. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented results in Arlington County, including 22 dismissals and 93 reductions. An Annulment Lawyer Arlington County can guide you through this process.
Annulment Lawyer in Arlington County, Virginia
Under Va. Code § 20-89.1, an annulment is a legal proceeding that declares a marriage void from its beginning, as if it never existed. Grounds for annulment in Virginia include fraud, duress, bigamy, incest, lack of mental capacity, and underage marriage without parental consent. Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage, annulment treats the marriage as legally invalid from the start. The Arlington County Circuit Court at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400, Arlington, VA 22201 handles annulment petitions. A marriage annulment petition lawyer Arlington County can help you file the necessary documents and present evidence to the court.
Last verified: April 2026 | Arlington County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly — official site
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., ‘Advocacy Without Borders,’ brings 120+ years combined legal experience. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the statute that governs equitable distribution in every Virginia divorce.
For the full text of the annulment statute, see Va. Code § 20-89.1 (Virginia General Assembly — official site). For information on divorce grounds, see Va. Code § 20-91 (Virginia General Assembly — official site).
In Arlington County Circuit Court, judges require clear and convincing evidence for annulment petitions. We have observed that cases involving fraud or concealment at the time of marriage are the most common grounds pursued. The court scrutinizes the timing of the discovery of the alleged fraud.
- Consult with an Annulment Lawyer Arlington County to assess your grounds under Va. Code § 20-89.1.
- Gather evidence supporting your claim, such as documents, emails, or witness statements.
- File a marriage annulment petition with the Arlington County Circuit Court.
- Serve the petition on your spouse through proper legal channels.
- Attend the hearing and present your case to the judge.
- Obtain the annulment decree if the court rules in your favor.
In Arlington County, annulment is a civil proceeding with no criminal penalties, but the court may order financial restitution or attorney’s fees if fraud is proven.
| Ground | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fraud | Civil | None | None | None | Marriage voided; potential restitution |
| Bigamy | Civil/Criminal | Up to 5 years (criminal) | Up to $2,500 (criminal) | None | Marriage voided; criminal charges possible |
| Incest | Civil/Criminal | Up to 10 years (criminal) | Up to $100,000 (criminal) | None | Marriage voided; criminal charges possible |
| Lack of Capacity | Civil | None | None | None | Marriage voided; guardian may be appointed |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., ‘Advocacy Without Borders,’ brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the statute that governs equitable distribution in every Virginia divorce. The firm has 115 documented results in Arlington County, with 22 dismissals or not guilty verdicts and 93 reductions or amendments.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented results in Arlington County: 22 dismissed or not guilty, 93 reduced or amended — a favorable-outcome rate of 100% in all reported instances. Results may vary. Firm-wide, SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ.
Our location in Arlington is 0.5 miles from the Arlington County Circuit Court, with access via I-395 and US-50. Serving the communities of Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Arlington
1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room 719, Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (703) 589-9250 | Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Annulment in Arlington County
How long does a divorce take in Arlington County, Virginia?
Uncontested divorces in Virginia typically resolve in 2-6 months after filing at Arlington County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court (custody/support/protective orders) and Arlington County Circuit Court (divorce/equitable distribution), depending on mandatory separation periods and court calendar. Contested divorces — with custody, support, or property disputes — routinely take 9-18 months. Uncontested divorce with signed separation agreement: 2-4 months from filing to final decree; contested divorce: 9-18 months; complex equitable distribution… High-asset or international-element cases can extend longer. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles complex and high-net-worth matters — consultation by appointment at (888) 437-7747.
How much does a divorce cost in Arlington County, Virginia?
Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86; sheriff service of process: approximately $12; private process server: $50-$100; pendente lite motion: additional court costs; Guardian ad Litem for custody: typically $500-$2,500+; mediation: $100-$300/hour per party Additional costs include Guardian ad Litem for custody ($500-$2,500+) and mediation ($100-$300/hour). Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3). Cases filed at Arlington County General District Court.
Is Virginia a community property state?
No. Virginia is an equitable distribution state — marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily 50/50. The court considers 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (personally amended by Mr. Sris). Arlington County Circuit Court (1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400, Arlington, VA 22201) handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Arlington County, Virginia?
Custody in Arlington County is based on the experienced interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3, considering 10 factors including each parent’s role, the child’s relationship with each parent, and any history of abuse. Arlington County J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Arlington County Circuit Court handles custody within divorce cases. 115 total documented case results across all practice areas (favorable outcome in all reported instances).
What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia?
No-fault: 6-month separation (no minor children + signed agreement) or 1-year separation. Fault grounds: adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion (1 year), felony conviction (1+ year imprisonment). Filed at Arlington County Circuit Court. Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86; sheriff service of process: approximately $12; private process server: $50-$100; pendente lite motion: additional court costs; Guardian ad Litem for custody: typically $500-$2,500+; mediation: $100-$300/hour per party.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against annulment charges?
Defense strategies for annulment in Virginia may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under Va. Code § 20-89.1 to build the strongest possible defense.
What should I do if I am facing annulment charges in Virginia?
If facing annulment charges in Virginia, contact a family law attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer. Preserve all relevant documents and evidence. The statute of limitations and court deadlines under Virginia law require prompt action.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against annulment vs divorce charges?
Defense strategies for annulment vs divorce in Virginia may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under Va. Code § 20-91 (grounds for divorce) to build the strongest possible defense.
Learn more about our services: Divorce Decree Enforcement Lawyer Virginia (hub page). Explore related pages: High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer Fluvanna County, High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer Manassas, and Business Valuation Divorce Lawyer Augusta County.
Last verified: April 2026. This page was last updated on 2026-04-29.