Annulment in Arlington County, Virginia, is governed by Va. Code § 20-89.1, which allows a court to declare a marriage void ab initio for grounds such as fraud, duress, or bigamy. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented results in Arlington County, including 22 dismissals and 93 favorable outcomes across all practice areas.
Annulment Lawyer in Arlington County, Virginia
Annulment is a legal proceeding that declares a marriage void from its inception, as if it never existed. Under Va. Code § 20-89.1, a court may grant an annulment if the marriage was entered into under fraud, duress, or mistake; if one party was already married (bigamy); or if the marriage is incestuous or otherwise prohibited by law. Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage, annulment treats the marriage as legally invalid from the start. In Arlington County, annulment petitions are filed at the Arlington County Circuit Court, located at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400, Arlington, VA 22201. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: May 2026 | Arlington County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly — official site
For the full text of the annulment statute, see Va. Code § 20-89.1 (Virginia General Assembly — official site). For information on Arlington County Circuit Court procedures, visit Arlington County Circuit Court (Virginia Courts — official site).
In Arlington County Circuit Court, annulment cases require strict proof of the grounds alleged. We have observed that judges scrutinize fraud claims particularly closely, demanding clear and convincing evidence that the fraud went to the essence of the marriage.
- Consult with an annulment lawyer Arlington County to evaluate your case under Va. Code § 20-89.1.
- File a marriage annulment petition at Arlington County Circuit Court with supporting evidence.
- Serve the petition on the other party according to Virginia law.
- Attend the court hearing to present evidence and testimony.
- Obtain the final decree of annulment from the court.
In Arlington County, annulment is a civil proceeding that does not carry criminal penalties, but the court may order financial remedies such as spousal support, property division, or attorney’s fees.
| Issue | Classification | Financial Impact | Property Division | Spousal Support | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fraud | Civil | Attorney’s fees may be awarded | Equitable distribution may apply | Possible | Marriage declared void ab initio |
| Duress | Civil | Attorney’s fees may be awarded | Equitable distribution may apply | Possible | Marriage declared void ab initio |
| Bigamy | Civil | Attorney’s fees may be awarded | Equitable distribution may apply | Possible | Marriage declared void ab initio |
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 case results in Arlington County: 22 dismissed or not guilty, 93 reduced or amended — a favorable outcome in all reported instances.
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 has 4,739+ documented results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ.
Our location in Arlington is 0.5 miles from Arlington County Circuit Court, with access via I-395 and Route 50. We are an annulment lawyer near Arlington County. 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
(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?
It depends. 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: family law Lawyer VA. For related matters in nearby areas, see Separation Lawyer Madison County and Separation Agreement Lawyer Fauquier County. For other practice areas in Arlington County, see Assault Lawyer Arlington County and Grand Larceny Lawyer Arlington County.
Page Last verified: May 2026. Statute and court information current as of this date.