Catholic Annulment Lawyer Virginia Beach, VA
You were married in the Catholic Church, perhaps during a ceremony at one of Virginia Beach’s historic parishes, but you have come to realize the union lacked a fundamental element required for validity. You want to move forward, and a civil annulment — a court declaration that the marriage was never legally valid — may be the path you need. In Virginia, the civil annulment process is separate from the Church’s internal annulment proceedings, and it requires navigating the statutory grounds set out in Va. Code § 20-89.1. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represent clients throughout Virginia Beach in annulment matters, helping them pursue the relief they seek while addressing related concerns like property division, custody, and support. To discuss your situation, call (888) 437-7747.
What a Catholic Annulment Means for Your Virginia Beach Marriage
In Virginia, a civil annulment is a legal proceeding that declares a marriage void or voidable from its inception. Unlike a divorce, which ends a valid marriage, an annulment treats the marriage as though it never legally existed. However, the Church’s sacrament of marriage and the civil contract recognized by the Commonwealth are distinct, and the grounds that satisfy one may not meet the other.
Virginia courts apply the criteria in Title 20 of the Virginia Code, particularly § 20-89.1, to determine whether a marriage can be annulled. Common grounds include a party’s lack of capacity at the time of the ceremony, fraud, duress, or a prior existing marriage that was not dissolved. The proceeding is brought in the Circuit Court; for Virginia Beach residents, that is the Virginia Beach Circuit Court, located at 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10B, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are familiar with the local filing practices and can help you assess whether your situation meets the statutory requirements. Because annulments touch on property, spousal support, and child-related matters, the court’s equitable-distribution framework and its best-interests custody analysis under § 20-124.3 may also come into play.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Catholic Annulment Cases
When you contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. about a Catholic annulment, Mr. Sris or a member of his Of Counsel team will first evaluate whether the facts satisfy Virginia’s civil annulment grounds. They will explain how a civil annulment differs from a divorce, and what effect it may have on property acquired during the marriage, spousal support, and child custody. The team works to resolve matters efficiently, often through negotiation or a settlement agreement, but is prepared to litigate if the other party contests the annulment.
The procedural steps include preparing and filing a Complaint in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court, arranging service on the other spouse, and presenting evidence to support the annulment grounds. If children are involved, custody and support issues are addressed within the same case. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel also coordinate with clients who need a subsequent or simultaneous Church annulment, though the ecclesiastical process is entirely separate and does not replace the civil proceeding.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has been practicing since 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He brings extensive experience in family law, including annulments, to the firm’s clients across Virginia Beach and the surrounding Hampton Roads communities.
Assisting Mr. Sris are his Of Counsel attorneys, each of whom brings a depth of background to the team. Some have prior experience as prosecutors or in law enforcement, and several focus a substantial portion of their practice on family law litigation. The group collectively has over 120 years of combined legal experience between Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, backed by 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary. Together, they work to provide clients with clear guidance and diligent representation through the annulment process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Catholic annulment and a civil annulment?
A Catholic annulment is a decree from a Church tribunal that the sacrament of marriage was invalid from the start according to canon law. It has no legal effect on property, custody, or spousal support. A civil annulment is a court order declaring the marriage void or voidable under Virginia law, which does affect property division, support, and child-related matters. You may need both. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle the civil side; the Church annulment must be pursued separately through the diocese.
What are the grounds for a civil annulment in Virginia?
Under Va. Code § 20-89.1, a marriage may be annulled if a party lacked capacity to consent, the marriage was procured by fraud or duress, or a prior marriage was still in effect. Other grounds include impotence, being underage without proper consent, or a prohibited degree of relationship. Each case turns on specific facts, and the party seeking the annulment must present evidence to the court. Speak with an attorney to determine whether your situation meets one of these grounds.
If my marriage is annulled, what happens to our property?
When a marriage is annulled, the court can still apply Virginia’s equitable-distribution principles to divide assets and debts fairly, though not necessarily equally. The court will consider factors like the duration of the relationship, each party’s contributions, and the circumstances that led to the annulment. Pension, retirement, and other assets may be subject to distribution. Legal guidance is particularly important if the marriage produced children or accumulated significant property.
Do I need a lawyer for a Catholic annulment in Virginia Beach?
While you can file the civil annulment paperwork yourself, the process involves presenting evidence in circuit court and potentially addressing contested issues. An attorney experienced in annulments can help you evaluate the factual basis, gather documentation, and ensure that all related matters — such as custody, support, and property division — are addressed properly. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. offer consultations to discuss how they can assist with your Virginia Beach annulment case.
How long does a civil annulment take in Virginia Beach?
The timeline for a civil annulment varies significantly depending on whether the other spouse contests it, the court’s calendar, and the complexity of the issues. An uncontested annulment may be resolved in months, while a contested case can take longer. The Virginia Beach Circuit Court sets its own scheduling, and several procedural steps — such as serving the other party and holding a hearing — influence the duration. Your attorney can give you a better estimate after reviewing the specifics.
Can the same attorney handle both my civil and Catholic annulment?
No. A civil attorney handles the court proceeding in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court, while a canon lawyer or the diocesan tribunal handles the Church annulment. However, a civil annulment order may be helpful in the canon law process. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. focuses on the civil side and can coordinate with your Church representative to ensure the civil documentation is timely and complete. For a consultation on the civil annulment, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
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Virginia Legal Resources
Virginia Code Title 20 (Domestic Relations) ·
Virginia Courts
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