Bigamy lawyer Poquoson, VA
If your spouse has entered into a subsequent marriage while still legally married to you, the law provides family law remedies that can protect your parental rights, your financial interests, and your legal standing. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients in Poquoson, Virginia, and throughout the Commonwealth in family law matters arising from bigamous marriages—including annulment proceedings, fault-based divorce actions, equitable distribution of marital property, child custody determinations, and spousal support claims. The firm does not defend individuals facing criminal bigamy charges; its practice concentrates on the civil family law side of these cases, helping innocent spouses navigate the distinct legal issues that a void or voidable marriage creates. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of the firm, has practiced family law since 1997 and appears in the Poquoson Circuit Court at 500 City Hall Avenue, where divorce annulment, and equitable distribution matters are heard. Poquoson’s small-community character means that family law disputes often involve closely connected parties—and the firm approaches each matter with the discretion and thorough preparation that such circumstances require. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation about your situation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Bigamy Means in Poquoson, Virginia
In Virginia, bigamy—marrying another person while a lawful spouse is still living and the prior marriage remains undissolved—renders the subsequent marriage void from its inception. A void marriage is treated as though it never legally existed, which carries significant consequences for property division, spousal support claims, inheritance rights, and child custody arrangements. The Poquoson Circuit Court, located at 500 City Hall Avenue, has jurisdiction over annulment actions and divorce proceedings in which bigamy is raised as a ground for dissolving the marital relationship. Because Poquoson is an independent city within the Eighth Judicial District, its Circuit Court shares procedural rules with the broader Virginia court system while operating with a docket shaped by a smaller population base and a judicial calendar specific to this locality.
Virginia law provides several fault-based grounds for divorce, and the existence of a bigamous subsequent marriage may support a finding of adultery under Va. Code § 20-91, which is one of the fault grounds a spouse may assert when seeking a divorce from the bond of matrimony. Equitable distribution of marital assets under Va. Code § 20-107.3 remains a central issue in any divorce action, and the presence of a bigamous relationship can influence how the court weighs the statutory factors—particularly those concerning the circumstances that contributed to the dissolution of the marriage. Child custody determinations under Va. Code § 20-124.3 likewise require the court to evaluate the best interests of the child, and evidence of a parent’s bigamous conduct may be relevant to several of the ten statutory custody factors. The firm’s Richmond Location serves clients throughout the Poquoson area, and Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear regularly in the Poquoson Circuit Court for family law matters of this nature.
Poquoson General District Court is currently presided over by Hon. Selena Stellute Glenn. Court hours: Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM. Counsel appearing on family law matters should plan filings accordingly.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Bigamy-Related Family Law Cases
When a client comes to the firm with a family law matter involving bigamy, the first step is a thorough review of the factual circumstances: the date and location of each marriage, whether any divorce or annulment was ever obtained, the presence of children from either marriage, the nature and value of assets acquired during each relationship, and any pending criminal proceedings against the spouse who entered into the bigamous marriage. This initial assessment shapes the legal strategy—whether the appropriate remedy is an annulment, a fault-based divorce, or a combination of both depending on what best serves the client’s interests in property division, support, and custody. The firm’s approach emphasizes early identification of the key legal issues so that the client can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Litigation in the Poquoson Circuit Court follows the Virginia Rules of Supreme Court and local practice norms specific to the Eighth Judicial District. The timeline for an annulment or divorce action depends on the court’s calendar, the complexity of the marital estate, whether the parties reach a settlement, and whether custody or support disputes must be resolved. Virginia requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested divorce hearing, and in bigamy cases, the testimony or documentary evidence needed to establish the void nature of the subsequent marriage must be presented in accordance with evidentiary rules. Throughout the process, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to position the client for a resolution that addresses both the immediate family law issues and the long-term implications of the bigamous marriage on the client’s legal and financial standing.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His experience as a former prosecutor provides insight into how criminal bigamy charges intersect with related family law proceedings, even where the firm’s representation is limited to the civil side. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), a legislative measure that revised Virginia’s equitable distribution statute. His familiarity with Virginia’s family law framework—from property classification under Va. Code § 20-107.3 to the trusted-interests custody analysis under Va. Code § 20-124.3—informs the firm’s handling of each bigamy-related matter.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented firm-wide results to family law cases. Results may vary. The Of Counsel attorneys who support the firm’s family law practice each bring distinct professional backgrounds to the team—including former law-enforcement experience and substantial trial practice—but all work under the same collaborative model in which Mr. Sris maintains oversight of case strategy. This structure allows the firm to address the range of legal issues that bigamy cases often entail, from straightforward annulment petitions to complex litigation involving business valuation, retirement-asset division, and multi-state custody disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bigamy under Virginia law?
Bigamy occurs when a person who is legally married enters into a subsequent marriage with another person while the first marriage remains valid and undissolved. In Virginia, bigamy is classified as a felony offense, and the subsequent marriage is treated as void from its inception—meaning it has no legal effect. For the innocent spouse, this void status opens the door to family law remedies including annulment, a fault-based divorce on the ground of adultery under Va. Code § 20-91, and claims for equitable distribution of marital assets under Va. Code § 20-107.3. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What family law remedies are available if my spouse committed bigamy?
An innocent spouse in Virginia may pursue several remedies. An annulment seeks a judicial declaration that the subsequent marriage is void, which may be necessary to resolve questions about property title, inheritance rights, and marital status for future legal purposes. Alternatively, the innocent spouse may file a Complaint for divorce on fault grounds—specifically adultery—which does not require a separation period. In both annulment and divorce actions, the Poquoson Circuit Court can address property division, spousal support, and, if children are involved, custody and child support under the applicable Virginia statutes. Results may vary.
How does bigamy affect property division in a Virginia divorce?
Virginia is an equitable distribution state. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, the court classifies property as marital, separate, or hybrid and then divides marital property equitably based on eleven statutory factors. Evidence that a spouse entered into a bigamous marriage may influence the court’s assessment of factors such as the circumstances that contributed to the dissolution of the marriage. Assets acquired during the bigamous relationship may raise complex classification questions—particularly where funds were commingled or where the innocent spouse’s separate assets were used to support the bigamous household. The court has broad discretion to fashion a distribution that accounts for these circumstances.
Can a bigamous marriage be annulled in Poquoson?
Yes. Because a bigamous marriage is void under Virginia law, an annulment action may be filed in the Poquoson Circuit Court to obtain a judicial decree confirming the marriage’s invalidity. An annulment differs from a divorce in that it declares the marriage legally nonexistent rather than dissolving a valid marriage. This distinction can affect property rights, spousal support eligibility, and other legal consequences. The procedural requirements for an annulment action include proper venue, service of process, and evidentiary proof that the prior marriage existed and was never dissolved. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need a lawyer for a bigamy-related family law case?
While individuals may represent themselves in Virginia family law proceedings, bigamy cases present legal complexities that benefit from experienced counsel. Establishing that a prior marriage was valid and undissolved may require documentary evidence from multiple jurisdictions. Property division in these cases often involves tracing assets across two households. Custody disputes may require a Guardian ad Litem and a best-interests analysis under Va. Code § 20-124.3. An attorney familiar with Poquoson court procedures and Virginia family law can help a client evaluate the available remedies and build the evidentiary record the court will rely upon in reaching its decision.
How do I find a bigamy lawyer in Poquoson, Virginia?
When seeking counsel for a bigamy-related family law matter in Poquoson, look for an attorney who practices regularly in the Poquoson Circuit Court, understands Virginia’s annulment and fault-based divorce statutes, and has experience handling cases that involve multi-jurisdictional marriage records. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has served Virginia clients since 1997, and Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear in Poquoson courts for annulment, divorce, custody, and property division matters. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
Related Practice Areas: Fairfax County Family Law · Prince William County Family Law · Manassas Family Law · Falls Church Family Law
Virginia Primary Sources: Virginia Code Title 20 (Domestic Relations) · Virginia Judicial System · Poquoson Circuit Court
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. maintains a Richmond Location at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225. By appointment only. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.