Marriage Annulment Lawyer New Kent County — What Are Your Legal Grounds?
A marriage annulment in New Kent County is a legal decree that a marriage is void or voidable under Virginia law, as defined in Va. Code § 20-89.1. Unlike divorce, it treats the marriage as if it never legally existed. The Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 11 documented case results in New Kent County.
Virginia Annulment Law and Legal Grounds
Virginia law provides specific, narrow grounds for annulling a marriage. An annulment legally declares a marriage invalid from its start, unlike a divorce which ends a valid marriage. The statute governing annulments is Va. Code § 20-89.1. Grounds are categorized as either making a marriage void (legally invalid automatically) or voidable (valid until a court annuls it).
Last verified: April 2026 | New Kent County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, our firm brings deep knowledge of Virginia family statutes to every case.
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Virginia’s annulment statute, refer to the official Va. Code § 20-89.1 on the Virginia Law portal. All annulment petitions in New Kent County are filed with the New Kent County Circuit Court located at 12001 Courthouse Circle.
Procedural Insights for New Kent County Annulments
New Kent County Circuit Court handles all annulment petitions. The process requires proving one of the statutory grounds exists. Virginia requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested annulment hearing. A key local procedural fact is that annulment cases are less common than divorces, so ensuring your petition correctly cites the applicable ground and is supported by proper evidence is critical for court acceptance.
- Consult with a Lawyer: Determine if you have valid grounds for an annulment under Virginia law.
- File a Petition: Your lawyer will prepare and file a formal “Bill of Complaint for Annulment” with the New Kent County Circuit Court clerk.
- Serve the Other Party: The petition must be legally served on your spouse, who then has time to file an answer.
- Present Evidence: At a hearing, you must present clear evidence proving the statutory ground for annulment.
- Obtain the Decree: If the judge is convinced, they will enter a decree of annulment, legally dissolving the marriage.
Understanding Annulment Grounds and Implications
In New Kent County, a successful marriage annulment results in the marriage being declared legally void, affecting property and status.
| Ground for Annulment | Type (Void/Voidable) | Key Legal Consideration | Common Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bigamy (one party already married) | Void | Marriage is automatically invalid; no legal marriage exists. | |
| Incest (prohibited degrees of kinship) | Void | Prohibited by Va. Code § 20-38.1. | |
| Underage marriage without required consent/court approval | Voidable | Can be ratified once both parties reach legal age. | |
| Mental incapacity or insanity at time of marriage | Voidable | Must prove inability to understand marriage contract. | |
| Fraud, force, or coercion | Voidable | Must prove intentional misrepresentation or duress inducing consent. | |
| Physical incapacity (and not disclosed) | Voidable | Must be incurable and unknown to the other party at time of marriage. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Firm Authority and Experience
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997. Our firm has over 120 years of combined attorney experience and more than 4,739 case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide. Our “Advocacy Without Borders” philosophy drives our commitment to each case. For Virginia family law matters, it is significant that Mr. Sris personally played a role in amending Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, demonstrating deep involvement in the state’s family law framework.
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
Documented Case Results
Our firm has 11 total documented case results across all practice areas in New Kent County, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and a former prosecutor with a background in accounting, provides strategic oversight on complex cases, ensuring a high level of analysis and preparation.
Contact Our New Kent County Annulment Lawyers
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Richmond Location
7400 Beaufont Springs Dr Suite 300 Room 359, Richmond, VA 23225, United States
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
Our Richmond location serves clients at the New Kent County courts (12001 Courthouse Circle), accessible via I-64, Route 33, and Route 249. We are your local marriage annulment lawyer near New Kent, Providence Forge, and Quinton.
Marriage Annulment Lawyer New Kent County FAQ
What is the difference between an annulment and a divorce in Virginia?
A divorce ends a legally valid marriage. An annulment is a court declaration that a valid marriage never existed due to specific legal defects present at the time of the wedding, as defined under Va. Code § 20-89.1.
How long do I have to file for an annulment in Virginia?
It depends on the grounds. For fraud or force, you must generally file within two years of discovering the fraud or being free from force. For underage marriage, you must file before the underage party turns 18. For physical incapacity, you must file within one year of marriage. A void marriage lawyer New Kent County can advise on specific deadlines for your situation.
Can I get an annulment if my spouse lied about wanting children?
Possibly. Virginia courts may grant an annulment for fraud if the lie goes to the “essentials” of the marriage contract. Misrepresentation about a fundamental matter like wanting children can be grounds, but you must prove the fraud induced you to consent to the marriage. Consulting a marriage annulment petition lawyer New Kent County is crucial to evaluate your case.
What happens to property and children after an annulment?
Virginia courts can still decide issues of property division, child custody, and support as part of the annulment proceeding under principles of equitable distribution (Va. Code § 20-107.3) and the child’s best interests, even though the marriage is declared void. The court treats the parties as if they were married for the purpose of resolving these dependent issues.
Do I need a lawyer to file for an annulment in New Kent County?
Yes. Annulment law is complex with strict procedural and evidentiary requirements. The New Kent County Circuit Court process requires precise legal filings and proof. A marriage annulment lawyer New Kent County from our firm can handle the process and advocate for your desired outcome.
Related Legal Information
If you are considering ending your marriage, you may also want to learn about Virginia divorce law. For other legal needs in the area, our firm also assists with criminal defense in New Kent County and DUI defense. For similar family law help nearby, see our pages for Henrico County family law and Chesterfield County family law.
Page Last verified: April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.