Catholic Annulment Lawyer Prince William County, VA

When a marriage is alleged to be void or voidable under Virginia law, an annulment petition may be filed in the Prince William County Circuit Court. Catholic annulment in a legal sense refers to the civil annulment process for individuals who also seek a Church declaration of nullity; the two proceedings are separate but can intersect. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997, concentrates in family law and assists clients with annulment petitions throughout Prince William County from its Fairfax Location. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear at the Prince William County Circuit Court located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110—the court that has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce and annulment under Virginia Code § 20-96. Virginia law requires that at least one party be domiciled in the Commonwealth for six months prior to filing (Va. Code § 20-97). The firm represents residents of Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan, and the court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. To discuss your Catholic annulment matter in confidence, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

On this page

What a Catholic Annulment Means in Prince William County

In Virginia, a civil annulment is a court decree that a marriage was invalid from its beginning—either because it was void (e.g., bigamy, prohibited degrees of kinship) or voidable (e.g., fraud, duress, mental incapacity). The governing statute is Va. Code § 20-89.1, which sets forth the grounds for annulment. Unlike a divorce, which terminates a valid marriage, an annulment declares that no valid marriage ever existed. For Catholics, a Church annulment (declaration of nullity) is a separate religious determination that a sacramental marriage was lacking from the start. The civil annulment in Prince William County does not affect the Church proceeding, but many clients pursue both, and the outcome of one can influence the other.

Prince William County is part of the Thirty-first Judicial District, and its Circuit Court hears all annulment cases. Because Virginia is an equitable distribution state, even in an annulment the court may address property division, spousal support, and child custody when the parties have lived together as though married. The court considers the best interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3 and may order custody, visitation, and support. The firm’s attorneys are familiar with how Prince William County judges approach these ancillary issues and work to protect your interests whether you are the petitioner or the respondent. Reach our firm at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Catholic Annulment Cases

When you contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., the process begins with a confidential consultation to review the facts of your marriage and determine whether grounds for a Virginia annulment exist. Mr. Sris or one of the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys will explain the legal requirements and the likely timeline, which varies by case complexity and the court’s calendar. If annulment is appropriate, the attorney prepares and files a complaint in the Prince William County Circuit Court, serves the other party, and addresses any pendente lite issues such as temporary custody or possession of the marital residence.

Throughout the case, the firm pursues a resolution that avoids unnecessary litigation when possible. If an agreement can be reached on all issues—including property, support, and children—the matter may be resolved without a trial. If a trial is necessary, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys present evidence and argument to seek a favorable outcome. The firm does not guarantee results; outcomes depend on the specific facts and the court’s application of the law. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience to family law matters, including annulments and related property and custody disputes. The firm has documented 297 case results in Prince William County across all practice areas, with a 97% favorable outcome rate. Results may vary.

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 has practiced law 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). His background in trial work informs his approach to family law matters, including annulments. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional experience from a range of backgrounds, including former prosecution and law enforcement roles, and they handle cases across Virginia. Together, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys concentrate in achieving resolutions that serve the client’s long-term interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a civil annulment and a Catholic annulment?

A civil annulment is a Virginia court decree that a marriage was legally invalid from the start, while a Catholic annulment is a Church declaration that a sacramental marriage was lacking. The civil annulment is governed by Va. Code § 20-89.1 and is handled in the Prince William County Circuit Court. The Catholic process is a separate ecclesiastical proceeding through the diocesan tribunal. One does not automatically satisfy the other, but a civil annulment may be factual support for a Church petition. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

What are the grounds for an annulment in Virginia?

Virginia law recognizes grounds including bigamy, prohibited degrees of kinship, mental incapacity, fraud, duress, and force or coercion. A marriage may be void from the outset, or voidable depending on the defect. The circuit court evaluates evidence and testimony to determine whether the marriage should be declared invalid. If you are unsure whether your marriage meets the legal requirements, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.

Do I need a lawyer for a Catholic annulment in Prince William County?

You are not legally required to hire a lawyer to file a civil annulment, but experienced legal representation helps ensure your rights regarding property, support, and children are protected. The annulment petition involves detailed factual allegations and often contested hearings. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle annulment cases in Prince William County and can guide you through the process. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at (888) 437-7747.

How long does an annulment take in Prince William County?

The timeline for an annulment in Prince William County varies by the complexity of the case and the court’s docket. If the matter is uncontested and all issues are agreed upon, it may resolve more quickly. A contested annulment—with disputes over grounds, property, or custody—can take longer. The court schedules hearings based on its calendar, and the time from filing to final decree depends on these variables. To discuss the potential timeline for your case, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

What happens to children and property in a Virginia annulment?

Virginia courts have the authority to decide custody, visitation, child support, and property division even when a marriage is annulled, if the parties lived together as though married. The court applies the trusted-interests standard for children (Va. Code § 20-124.3) and equitable distribution principles for property (Va. Code § 20-107.3). These determinations are made during the annulment proceeding in the Prince William County Circuit Court. For questions about how an annulment may affect your family, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Can I get an annulment if my spouse lives in another state?

Virginia requires that at least one party be a domiciliary and actual resident of the Commonwealth for at least six months before filing. If you meet that residency requirement, you may file in the Prince William County Circuit Court even if your spouse resides elsewhere. Proper service of process on the out-of-state spouse is required. The firm’s attorneys can explain the jurisdictional requirements that apply to your circumstances. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Virginia primary law sources:
Virginia Code § 20-89.1 — Annulment of marriage
Prince William County Circuit Court
Virginia Judicial System

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York

Practicing since 1997

Last reviewed: July 2026

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.