Bigamy lawyer Near Me
Bigamy — being married to more than one person at the same time — is a serious criminal offense and a complex family law problem. It can void a later marriage, trigger immigration consequences, and affect property and custody rights. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Concentrates on family law across Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work to protect clients facing bigamy allegations or seeking to resolve a marriage’s validity. Contact the firm at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Bigamy Means in Virginia Family Law
In Virginia, bigamy is a criminal act that can also have lasting effects on a person’s family and civil status. A marriage entered into while a prior marriage still exists is void from the start under Virginia law. Even if the parties believed in good faith that a prior marriage had ended, the later marriage is not valid unless the earlier one was dissolved, annulled, or terminated by death. The implications extend beyond criminal exposure: an invalid marriage can affect spousal support claims, equitable distribution of property, and the legitimacy of children born during that union.
Virginia courts view bigamy as a class 4 felony, and a conviction can lead to incarceration and a permanent criminal record. Beyond the criminal case, a person facing a bigamy charge may need to address annulment proceedings, child custody, and property division. Because bigamy calls the legal validity of a marriage into question, the family court must determine which relationship is recognized and how rights and obligations are allocated. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients through both the criminal and civil aspects of bigamy matters.
In other states where the firm practices — Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York — similar principles apply, although the exact criminal classification and statutory language differ. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of the firm, brings decades of combined legal experience with his Of Counsel to these multi‑state issues. The firm’s attorneys appear in courts across these jurisdictions and understand the local procedures that govern how a bigamy allegation is handled.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Bigamy Cases
When a client comes to Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. with a bigamy concern, the legal team begins by examining the facts of each marriage. The goal is to determine whether a valid prior marriage existed at the time of the later ceremony, whether any exception applies, and what legal defenses may be available. In criminal cases, the defense may focus on the absence of intent, the invalidity of the prior marriage, or the expiration of the statute of limitations. In civil matters, the firm works to clarify the client’s marital status and secure orders that protect their property and parental rights.
The firm’s approach is collaborative. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, and the Of Counsel attorneys draw on their combined experience to construct a strategy that addresses both the criminal charge and the family law consequences. They may negotiate with prosecutors, file motions to dismiss, and assist with annulment actions. Because the firm has locations in multiple states, it can handle situations where a client has marriages in different jurisdictions — a common scenario in bigamy cases involving interstate travel or military service members.
Every case is fact‑specific. The firm conducts thorough investigations, obtains marriage records and divorce decrees, and consults with attorneys when necessary. The representation extends through trial if needed, with the aim of achieving a favorable outcome while minimizing the disruption to the client’s family and professional life. Results depend on the unique facts of each case; prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced since 1997. He is a former prosecutor and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background gives him insight into how the government builds cases, which he uses to develop defense strategies and negotiate from a position of knowledge. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience to family law matters. They are independent practitioners who work alongside Mr. Sris on clients’ cases. Together, the team handles bigamy allegations, annulments, divorces, and related disputes. Every attorney on the team has well over a decade of practice experience. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience and have achieved 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bigamy and how does it affect a marriage’s validity?
Bigamy is the act of marrying someone while still legally married to another person, and it renders the later marriage void from its inception under Virginia law. In Virginia, a marriage entered into during the existence of a prior undissolved marriage is void. This means that the later marriage has no legal effect, and the parties cannot assert spousal rights — such as equitable distribution, spousal support, or inheritance — based on that invalid union. Criminal penalties may also apply, and the void marriage can affect child custody and legitimacy determinations. An annulment may be sought to obtain a judicial declaration of the marriage’s invalidity.
Can a person be charged with bigamy even if they believed their first marriage was over?
Yes, a person can be charged with bigamy in Virginia even if they believed in good faith that a prior marriage had ended, but the prosecution must prove the defendant knew the marriage was still valid. Bigamy is generally a specific‑intent crime in Virginia: the prosecutor must show that the accused knew they were legally married to another person at the time of the second ceremony. However, a good‑faith mistake about the validity of a divorce — for example, believing a foreign divorce was final when it was not — can be a defense. The outcome depends on the evidence, including the defendant’s efforts to confirm the dissolution. An experienced attorney can assess the viability of such a defense.
What are the potential criminal penalties for bigamy in Virginia?
Bigamy is a class 4 felony in Virginia, punishable by a term of incarceration and a fine, and a conviction creates a permanent criminal record. The specific sentence is determined by the court within the statutory range. Beyond incarceration, a felony conviction can affect employment, professional licenses, immigration status, and firearm rights. Because bigamy is a felony, the case is heard in the Circuit Court, not the General District Court. An attorney can represent the accused at every stage — from investigation through trial — and work to mitigate the consequences or seek dismissal where the evidence does not support the charge.
Does bigamy affect child custody or support arrangements?
A bigamous marriage can complicate child custody and support because it may raise questions about a child’s parentage and the court’s jurisdiction over the non‑marital relationship. In Virginia, children born during a void marriage may still be considered legitimate under certain conditions, but the court must address custody based on the best interests of the child. If the biological parents are not married, paternity may need to be established before custody and support can be decided. A family law attorney can guide a parent through the process of securing custody, visitation, and support, even when the underlying marriage is invalid.
How can I find a bigamy lawyer near me in Virginia?
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients throughout Virginia and the surrounding jurisdictions, and you can reach the firm by calling (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. The firm’s Fairfax location serves clients across northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Arlington County, and the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear in state and federal courts across the Commonwealth. For those located in Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, or New York, the firm has locations ready to assist.
What should I do if I am accused of bigamy or discover my spouse may be married to someone else?
Contact a family law attorney immediately, preserve all relevant documents, and avoid making any statements to law enforcement without legal counsel. If you are accused, anything you say can be used against you in a criminal prosecution. If you suspect your spouse is still married to another person, you should gather marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and any correspondence about prior relationships, but do not confront the spouse alone without legal advice. An attorney can evaluate the situation, advise on the validity of the marriage, and, if appropriate, assist with an annulment or divorce proceeding. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., consultations are available to discuss these sensitive matters.
Related Legal Services
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. also represents clients in:
- Virginia Divorce Lawyer
- Annulment Lawyer in Virginia
- Child Custody Attorney Virginia
- Spousal Support Lawyer Virginia
- Criminal Defense Attorney Virginia
Virginia Legal Resources
For more information about Virginia’s domestic relations statutes, visit the official Virginia Legislative Information System: Virginia Code Title 20 — Domestic Relations. General information about Virginia’s courts is available at Virginia Courts.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris. Results may vary.