Annulment Lawyer Queens County

Not every marriage that a person wants to end was legally valid to begin with, and New York law treats that situation differently from an ordinary divorce. An annulment is a legal proceeding that addresses the validity of the marriage itself, rather than dissolving a marriage that was validly formed, and the distinction matters because a divorce and an annulment can lead to different results depending on how a Queens County court characterizes the marriage. New York’s fault and no-fault divorce grounds are set out in Domestic Relations Law § 170, but annulment proceedings are addressed under separate provisions of New York law and involve a different legal analysis than a Domestic Relations Law § 170 divorce ground. Because annulment and divorce serve different legal purposes, a spouse who believes a marriage may not have been validly formed should discuss the specific facts with an annulment lawyer before assuming that divorce is the only available option, or that annulment is automatically preferable to divorce. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients in Queens County who are evaluating whether annulment, divorce, or another remedy fits their situation. To discuss an annulment matter connected to Queens County, call (888) 437-7747.

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What Annulment Means in Queens County

Annulment and divorce both end a marriage as a practical matter, but they rest on different legal theories. A divorce, including each of the fault-based grounds and the no-fault ground listed in Domestic Relations Law § 170, proceeds from the premise that a valid marriage existed and is being dissolved. An annulment instead asks a court to find that the marriage was never validly formed, or that it can be voided based on circumstances that existed when the parties married. Because these are different legal theories, the facts that support an annulment claim are not the same as the facts that support a divorce ground such as cruelty, abandonment, or the no-fault ground under Domestic Relations Law § 170(7).

New York law addresses annulment through provisions separate from the divorce grounds in Domestic Relations Law § 170, and the specific grounds and procedural requirements for an annulment depend on the facts of how and when the marriage was formed. Because this page focuses on New York’s verified divorce-grounds statute rather than a specific annulment provision, a Queens County resident evaluating an annulment claim should discuss the particular facts of the marriage with an attorney rather than assume any general description applies to their situation.

What both proceedings share procedurally is that they are typically filed in the same court system. Matrimonial matters connected to Queens County, whether framed as a divorce or an annulment, are commonly handled in Queens County Supreme Court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435, part of New York’s Eleventh Judicial District. A resident who is unsure whether their situation calls for an annulment, a divorce under one of the Domestic Relations Law § 170 grounds, or another remedy entirely can discuss the specific facts of the marriage with an annulment lawyer serving Queens County before deciding how to proceed.

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

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work with Queens County clients to evaluate whether the facts of a marriage support an annulment claim, a divorce under one of the grounds in Domestic Relations Law § 170, or some combination of remedies. Because annulment and divorce rest on different legal theories, the firm’s process begins with a detailed review of how and when the marriage was formed, since those facts determine which remedy is available and what a Queens County court will expect to see in support of a petition.

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys also discuss with clients how an annulment or a divorce action would affect related issues in the case, including any children of the marriage and the couple’s finances, recognizing that these issues often require careful handling regardless of which remedy is ultimately pursued. Where a client’s facts do not clearly support an annulment claim, the firm discusses the divorce grounds available under Domestic Relations Law § 170, including the no-fault option under subdivision (7), as an alternative path forward.

The firm does not offer free consultations. Clients in Queens County who are unsure whether their marriage may be eligible for annulment, or who want to compare that option against a divorce filing, can schedule an appointment by calling the firm’s intake line, staffed for 24/7 phone intake. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contract directly with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. and work with Mr. Sris on Queens County matters as needed. Every annulment inquiry depends heavily on the specific facts of how the marriage came about, and the firm reviews those facts carefully before recommending a course of action.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris founded Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 1997 and has served as its Owner and Founder since that time. He is a former prosecutor, and that background continues to inform how he approaches fact-intensive family law matters, including cases where a client is uncertain whether annulment or divorce is the more appropriate remedy. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and brings a background in accounting and information systems from George Mason University to cases involving financial documentation. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contract directly with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.; collectively, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle the firm’s Queens County matrimonial matters, including annulment inquiries.

The firm concentrates in family law matters and does not guarantee that any particular marriage will qualify for annulment, since that determination depends entirely on the specific facts surrounding how and when the marriage was formed. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys review each Queens County annulment inquiry individually, and where an annulment claim does not appear to fit the facts, the firm discusses the divorce grounds available under Domestic Relations Law § 170 as an alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A divorce, including each of the seven grounds listed in Domestic Relations Law § 170, proceeds from the premise that a valid marriage existed and is being legally dissolved. An annulment instead asks a court to find that the marriage was never validly formed or can be voided based on circumstances that existed when the parties married. Because the two proceedings rest on different legal theories, the facts that support one do not necessarily support the other, and an annulment lawyer serving Queens County can help evaluate which remedy fits a specific situation.

Can I get an annulment instead of a divorce if my spouse and I disagree about ending the marriage?

Whether annulment is available depends on the specific facts of how the marriage was formed, not simply on whether the spouses agree to end the marriage. If the facts do not support an annulment claim, Domestic Relations Law § 170 provides several divorce grounds, including the no-fault ground under subdivision (7), which allows a divorce where the marriage has broken down irretrievably for at least six months, sworn to by one party. A Queens County resident uncertain which remedy fits their situation should discuss the specific facts with an attorney.

Where are annulment cases filed for Queens County residents?

Matrimonial matters connected to Queens County, including annulment proceedings, are commonly handled in Queens County Supreme Court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435, part of New York’s Eleventh Judicial District. An annulment lawyer serving Queens County can help a client understand the filing process, what documentation the court will expect regarding how and when the marriage was formed, and how the case may proceed if the facts turn out to support a divorce ground instead.

If a marriage is annulled, do issues like children and property still need to be addressed?

Yes, generally. Whether a marriage ends through annulment or divorce, practical issues involving children of the marriage and the couple’s finances typically still need to be resolved by the court or by agreement of the parties. The specific legal framework that applies can depend on which type of proceeding is used, and a Queens County attorney can explain how these related issues are likely to be handled given the particular facts of a case.

How do I know whether my situation calls for an annulment or a divorce?

The answer depends on the specific facts of how and when the marriage was formed, which is different from the facts that support a divorce ground such as those listed in Domestic Relations Law § 170. Because annulment and divorce rest on different legal theories, a Queens County resident who is uncertain which remedy applies should discuss the details of their marriage with an attorney rather than assume either option automatically fits their circumstances.

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.

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