Annulment Lawyer Brooklyn

Some Brooklyn spouses come to the firm asking not for a divorce but for an annulment, and the distinction matters. An annulment is a legal action asking a court to declare that a marriage was never validly formed or should be invalidated based on circumstances present when it was entered, while a divorce ends a marriage that was validly formed. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. discusses with each client whether the facts of their marriage make annulment a realistic option, or whether divorce under one of New York’s fault or no-fault grounds is the more appropriate path, and represents clients through whichever action fits their circumstances in Kings County Supreme Court.

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is individually admitted to practice law in New York, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New Jersey, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys assist with Brooklyn annulment matters alongside him. Because annulment turns heavily on the specific facts surrounding the marriage’s formation, the firm reviews each client’s circumstances individually rather than assuming annulment is available. The firm does not offer free consultations, and clients can request a scheduled consultation to discuss whether annulment or divorce fits their situation. The firm’s intake line is staffed 24/7 at (888) 437-7747.

On this page

What Annulment Means in Brooklyn

An annulment proceeding asks a Brooklyn court to treat a marriage as void, meaning it was never legally valid from the start, or to invalidate a marriage that is voidable because of circumstances present when the parties married. This is a fundamentally different legal question than the one a divorce court answers. A divorce, sought under one of the seven grounds set out in N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 170, presumes the marriage was validly formed and asks the court to end it going forward. An annulment instead asks the court to determine that the marriage was legally defective from the outset, or should be treated that way because of facts such as one party’s incapacity, a lack of genuine consent, or another circumstance affecting the marriage’s formation.

Because annulment depends so heavily on case-specific facts about how and why the marriage was formed, and because the available grounds and their proof requirements can vary significantly from one situation to the next, Brooklyn residents considering this path should discuss their specific circumstances with an attorney before assuming annulment is available or comparing it to a divorce filing. Annulment actions and divorce actions for Brooklyn residents are both heard in Kings County Supreme Court, part of New York’s 2nd Judicial District, and both can involve related financial and custody issues that the court addresses as part of the case.

Clients sometimes ask for an annulment because they believe it carries different social, religious, or personal significance than a divorce, or because they believe the marriage was never legitimate to begin with. The firm discusses these considerations candidly, including situations where the facts may better support a divorce filing under DRL § 170 than an annulment action, so the client can make an informed decision about which path to pursue.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle These Cases

When a Brooklyn client raises the possibility of an annulment, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys start with a detailed review of the facts surrounding how the marriage came about: what each party knew, disclosed, or misrepresented, whether either party had the legal capacity to marry, and any other circumstances bearing on whether the marriage was validly formed. That fact-gathering process determines whether an annulment action is realistically available or whether the client’s goals are better served through a divorce filed under one of the grounds in DRL § 170.

Where annulment appears to be a viable path, the firm prepares the case with attention to the specific facts that must be established and gathers the documentation and, where relevant, witness information that supports the client’s position. Where the facts point instead toward divorce, the firm explains why and helps the client evaluate which of the statutory grounds fits the situation.

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys also address the related issues that can arise in either type of case, including custody and support for any children of the marriage and the division of property acquired during the marriage, coordinating those issues with the primary annulment or divorce claim as the matter proceeds through Kings County Supreme Court. The firm keeps clients informed about how the case is developing and does not promise a particular outcome, since whether a court grants an annulment depends entirely on the specific facts proven at each stage of the case.

Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris founded Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 1997 and has served as Owner and Founder since. His background as a former prosecutor informs the careful, fact-intensive review the firm applies to annulment matters, where the outcome often depends on specific proof about the circumstances of the marriage. He is individually admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, which includes the Brooklyn matters the firm handles in Kings County Supreme Court. Mr. Sris’s background in accounting and information systems from George Mason University supports the firm’s handling of the financial and property issues that can accompany an annulment case.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contract directly with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. and assist Mr. Sris with Brooklyn annulment and divorce matters. The firm’s principal office is in Fairfax, Virginia, and Brooklyn clients are served by appointment. The firm does not offer free consultations; call (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation, and the intake line is staffed 24/7.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an annulment and a divorce in New York?

A divorce, sought under one of the seven grounds in N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 170, ends a marriage that was validly formed. An annulment instead asks the court to determine that a marriage was never validly formed, or should be invalidated based on circumstances present when it was entered.

How do I know whether I qualify for an annulment or need to file for divorce?

That depends entirely on the specific facts of how the marriage came about, which is why the firm reviews each client’s circumstances individually rather than assuming one path applies. Many clients who initially ask about annulment ultimately proceed with a divorce filed under DRL § 170 once the facts are reviewed.

Where are Brooklyn annulment cases heard?

Annulment actions for Brooklyn residents are heard in Kings County Supreme Court, part of New York’s 2nd Judicial District, located at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, the same court that hears Brooklyn divorce actions.

Can custody and property issues be addressed in an annulment case?

Yes. Kings County Supreme Court can address custody, support, and property issues connected to the marriage as part of an annulment proceeding, coordinating those issues with the underlying annulment claim.

Does the firm only handle divorce, or does it also handle annulment matters?

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle both divorce and annulment matters for Brooklyn clients, and discuss with each client which path fits their specific facts. The firm does not offer free consultations; call (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation, and the intake line is staffed 24/7.

This page provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.

Attorney Advertising. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.