In Prince William County, Virginia divorce follows equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (personally amended by Mr. Sris). Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 297 documented case results in Prince William County. A Trial Separation Lawyer Prince William County can explain how separation periods affect your property division and custody rights.
Virginia family law governs divorce, custody, support, and property division. Under Va. Code § 20-91, no-fault divorce requires a 6-month separation if you have no minor children and a signed separation agreement, or a 1-year separation if you have minor children. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion for one year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for one year or more. A Trial Separation Lawyer Prince William County helps you understand how separation timing affects your case.
Last verified: April 2026 | Prince William County General District Court | Virginia Code Title 20 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Review the official statutes: Va. Code § 20-107.3 (Equitable Distribution) and Prince William County General District Court.
Prince William County Circuit Court handles all divorce and equitable distribution matters. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody and protective orders. Virginia requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested divorce hearing.
- File a complaint for divorce at Prince William County Circuit Court (9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110).
- Serve the complaint on your spouse through sheriff or private process server.
- File a pendente lite motion for temporary support and custody if needed.
- Attend mediation or negotiate a property settlement agreement.
- Present your signed agreement and corroborating witness at the uncontested hearing.
- Receive your final divorce decree from the court.
In Prince William County, Virginia divorce carries no criminal penalty, but financial consequences include equitable distribution of marital assets, spousal support, and child support.
| Issue | Legal Standard | Court | Timeline | Cost Factors | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce (No-Fault) | 6-month or 1-year separation | Circuit Court | 2-4 months (uncontested) | Filing fee ~$86 | Equitable distribution of assets |
| Child Custody | Best interests of child (10 factors) | J&DR Court | Varies | Guardian ad Litem $500-$2,500+ | Parenting time schedule |
| Spousal Support | 13 statutory factors | Circuit Court | Varies | Mediation $100-$300/hour | Modifiable upon change in circumstances |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute — a unique achievement in Virginia family law. A Trial Separation Lawyer Prince William County brings this depth of experience to your case.
Mr. Sris, Managing Attorney, also handles family law cases in Prince William County. He founded the firm in 1997 and personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 297 total documented case results across all practice areas in Prince William County with a 97% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Fairfax location is approximately 15 miles from Prince William County Circuit Court, accessible via I-66 and Route 28.
Looking for a family law lawyer near Prince William County? We serve Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan.
24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417 — meetings by appointment only.
By appointment only.
Q: How long does a divorce take in Prince William County, Virginia?
It depends. Uncontested divorce with signed separation agreement: 2-4 months from filing to final decree. Contested divorce: 9-18 months. Complex equitable distribution with business valuation or retirement assets: 12-24 months. Virginia requires a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children) before filing no-fault.
Q: How much does a divorce cost in Prince William County, Virginia?
It depends. Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86. Sheriff service of process: approximately $12. Private process server: $50-$100. Guardian ad Litem for custody: typically $500-$2,500+. Mediation: $100-$300/hour per party. Additional costs include pendente lite motion fees.
Q: Is Virginia a community property state?
No. Virginia is an equitable distribution state — marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily 50/50. The court considers 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (personally amended by Mr. Sris). Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded from division.
Q: How is child custody decided in Prince William County, Virginia?
Custody in Prince William County is based on the best interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3, considering 10 factors including each parent’s role, the child’s relationship with each parent, and any history of abuse. Prince William County J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Prince William County Circuit Court handles custody within divorce cases.
Q: What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia?
No-fault: 6-month separation (no minor children + signed agreement) or 1-year separation. Fault grounds: adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion (1 year), felony conviction (1+ year imprisonment). Filed at Prince William County Circuit Court. A separation before divorce lawyer Prince William County can explain which grounds apply to your situation.
Q: What is a temporary separation in Virginia?
A temporary separation is a period of living apart before filing for divorce. Virginia requires a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children) for no-fault divorce. A temporary separation lawyer Prince William County can help you document the separation date and negotiate temporary support and custody arrangements.
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Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.