Catholic Annulment Lawyer Virginia Beach, VA

For many people of faith in Virginia Beach, a Catholic annulment is a deeply personal process. While the Diocese of Richmond handles the religious decree, a civil annulment under Virginia law can address important legal issues—including property division, spousal support, and the right to remarry. A civil annulment declares that a marriage was void from the start, which differs from a divorce that ends a valid marriage. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys represent clients in Virginia Beach, Sandbridge, and throughout the Tidewater region in annulment proceedings before the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. Our Richmond Location at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, Virginia 23225 serves clients in Virginia Beach and Oceana. To discuss whether a civil annulment is appropriate for your situation, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

What Is a Catholic Annulment and How Does It Relate to Virginia Law?

A Catholic annulment is a religious declaration by a Church tribunal that a marriage was never sacramentally valid. It does not carry legal effect in Virginia. However, many individuals who obtain a religious annulment also need a civil annulment to settle property rights, terminate spousal support obligations, or clarify their legal status before remarrying. Virginia law provides for annulments when a marriage is void or voidable from the outset. The governing statute, Va. Code § 20-89.1, lists specific grounds such as bigamy, fraud, duress, mental incapacity at the time of the ceremony, and underage marriage without proper consent. The Virginia Beach Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction over annulment actions, which are filed as a civil complaint. Because the legal and religious annulment processes are independent, you may pursue both simultaneously or one after the other. An experienced family law attorney can help you navigate the civil process while respecting your religious journey.

Annulment Process in Virginia Beach Circuit Court

To begin a civil annulment in Virginia Beach, you must file a complaint in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court, located at 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10B, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456. The complaint must set forth the specific ground for annulment under Virginia law and include supporting facts. For example, if you allege fraud, you must describe the misrepresentation that induced you to marry. If you claim mental incapacity, you will need evidence such as medical records or witness testimony. Unlike a divorce, an annulment does not require a separation period, but you must meet the six-month residency requirement under Va. Code § 20-97—meaning at least one spouse must have lived in Virginia for at least six months before filing.

Once the complaint is filed, the court will schedule a hearing. The petitioner must present evidence that meets the legal standard for the claimed ground. If the court grants the annulment, it may also address property division, spousal support, and any children born of the marriage—though children are considered legitimate under Virginia law even if the marriage is later annulled. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys prepare annulment petitions, gather supporting documentation, and represent clients at all court appearances. Because the grounds for annulment can be fact-intensive, having counsel who regularly appears in Virginia Beach Circuit Court can strengthen your presentation.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Annulment Cases

When you contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., a member of our team will ask about the circumstances of your marriage to determine if a civil annulment may be available. We then explain the legal grounds and the evidence needed to support them. Our approach is to build a thorough record from the start, so the court has clear, credible information on which to base its decision.

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys confer directly on strategy for each annulment matter. We prepare the complaint, coordinate with any corroborating witnesses, and file all required documents with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. Throughout the process, we keep you informed about court dates, the status of your case, and what to expect at the hearing. Our Richmond Location serves Virginia Beach families, and we schedule consultations by appointment at a time that works for you. Call (888) 437-7747 to arrange a consultation.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who founded the firm in 1997. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Over more than two decades, he has guided clients through sensitive family law matters, including annulments, contested divorces, and equitable distribution issues. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), which addressed certain procedural aspects of equitable distribution.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive experience in Virginia family law and regularly appear in Circuit Courts across the Commonwealth. Working jointly with Mr. Sris, they analyze the specific facts of each annulment case, identify the strongest legal grounds, and advocate for the client’s interests before the court. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves clients throughout Virginia Beach, Sandbridge, and Oceana from its Richmond Location. All consultations are by appointment; call (888) 437-7747 to speak with a member of the firm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the legal grounds for an annulment in Virginia?

Virginia law permits an annulment when a marriage is void or voidable due to bigamy, incest, mental incapacity, fraud, duress, underage marriage without proper consent, or physical impotence not disclosed before the marriage. These grounds appear in Va. Code § 20-89.1. The party seeking the annulment must present evidence supporting the claimed defect. An experienced attorney can evaluate your circumstances and advise whether the facts fit within one of these categories. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Do I need a lawyer for a Catholic annulment in Virginia Beach?

A lawyer is not required for the religious annulment process administered by the Diocese of Richmond. However, if you also need a civil annulment to affect your legal status, property, or spousal support, an attorney can prepare the complaint, marshal evidence, and represent you in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. The civil and religious processes are separate, but an attorney familiar with both can coordinate the timing and documentation. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

How does a Virginia annulment affect property and support?

When a court grants an annulment, it may divide property acquired during the void or voidable marriage and may award spousal support using the same factors that apply in divorce proceedings. The court can also adjudicate custody and child support for children born of the marriage, as children remain legitimate after annulment. Because Virginia is an equitable distribution state, the division is fair but not necessarily equal. An attorney can help you present evidence regarding contributions, duration, and other statutory factors. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at (888) 437-7747.

Can I get a Catholic annulment without a civil annulment?

Yes; a Catholic annulment is a religious decree that has no automatic legal effect in Virginia. If you do not need to change your legal status—for example, if you have no marital property or support claims and do not plan to remarry legally—you may choose to pursue only the religious process. However, many people find that obtaining both a Catholic and a civil annulment provides comprehensive resolution. Discuss your goals with an attorney to determine the right approach. Call Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for guidance.

What is the difference between annulment and divorce in Virginia?

An annulment treats the marriage as though it never legally existed, while a divorce ends a valid marriage. Grounds for annulment exist only if a defect existed at the time of the ceremony. Grounds for divorce, such as separation or fault, arise during the marriage. An annulment may affect property division and spousal support differently, so an attorney can help you evaluate which proceeding fits your situation. For a consultation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Related Family Law Pages

Fairfax County Family Law ·
Prince William County Family Law ·
Manassas Family Law

Official Virginia Sources

Virginia Code § 20-89.1 – Annulment Grounds ·
Virginia Beach Circuit Court

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