Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County divorce cases under Va. Code § 20-91 require a 6-month or 1-year separation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented case results in Arlington County. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute. Consultation by appointment.
Last verified: April 2026 | Arlington County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia family law operates under an equitable distribution framework. Va. Code § 20-107.3 governs how marital property is divided — fairly, not necessarily 50/50. Mr. Sris personally amended this statute. For divorce grounds, Va. Code § 20-91 provides both no-fault and fault options. No-fault 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. Child custody follows the best interests of the child standard under Va. Code § 20-124.3, which considers 10 factors. Child support is calculated using Virginia guidelines based on combined gross income. Spousal support is determined by 13 statutory factors under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor who brings unique insight to family law cases.
For the complete text of Virginia’s divorce and family law statutes, see Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly) and Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly). Court procedures are available at the Arlington County General District Court website.
Arlington County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders. Virginia requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested divorce hearing. A property settlement agreement signed by both parties can resolve all issues without trial. Mediation is available but not mandatory in Virginia. Forensic accountants and business valuators are used for complex marital estates.
- File a complaint for divorce at Arlington County Circuit Court (1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400, Arlington, VA 22201). Filing fee is approximately $86.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse via sheriff ($12) or private process server ($50-$100).
- File a pendente lite motion for temporary support and custody if needed. Hearing typically set within 21-60 days.
- Attend mediation (optional, $100-$300/hour per party) or negotiate a property settlement agreement.
- Present your case at final hearing with corroborating witness for uncontested divorce, or proceed to trial for contested matters.
In Arlington County, Virginia family law cases involve equitable distribution of marital property, child custody determinations, and spousal support awards based on statutory factors.
| Issue | Legal Standard | Key Statute | Timeline | Cost Factors | Additional Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce (No-Fault) | 6-month separation (no minor children) or 1-year separation (with minor children) | Va. Code § 20-91 | 2-4 months (uncontested); 9-18 months (contested) | Filing fee: ~$86; service: $12-$100 | Signed separation agreement required for 6-month option |
| Divorce (Fault) | Adultery, cruelty, desertion (1 year), felony conviction (1+ year imprisonment) | Va. Code § 20-91 | Varies by grounds; adultery has no waiting period | Filing fee: ~$86; additional discovery costs | Corroborating witness required |
| Equitable Distribution | Fair division of marital property; 11 factors considered | Va. Code § 20-107.3 | Part of divorce timeline | Business valuation: $2,000-$10,000+; forensic accounting: $5,000+ | Separate property excluded |
| Child Custody | Best interests of the child; 10 factors | Va. Code § 20-124.3 | Standalone: 3-6 months; within divorce: part of divorce timeline | Guardian ad Litem: $500-$2,500+; custody evaluation: $2,000-$5,000+ | J&DR Court handles standalone custody |
| Child Support | Virginia guidelines based on combined gross income | Va. Code § 20-108.1 | Ongoing; modifiable upon material change | Guideline calculation: no additional court cost | Modification requires showing of material change |
| Spousal Support | 13 statutory factors; duration and amount determined by court | Va. Code § 20-107.1 | Pendente lite: 21-60 days; final: part of divorce timeline | No additional filing fee beyond divorce | Modifiable upon material change |
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 has documented 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs how marital property is divided in Virginia divorces. This is a documented, real-world achievement that no other family law attorney in Virginia can claim. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.” In Arlington County, the firm has 115 documented case results across all practice areas with a 100% favorable outcome rate.
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, also handles complex family law matters. He is a former prosecutor who founded the firm in 1997 and personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3. He is admitted to practice in VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 total documented case results in Arlington County across all practice areas, with a 100% 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 Arlington location is located near Arlington County courts (1425 N. Courthouse Rd), accessible via I-395 and Route 50.
Looking for a family law lawyer near Arlington County? Our Arlington location serves clients throughout the area.
We serve Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Arlington
1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719, Arlington, VA 22209
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
How long does a divorce take in Arlington 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. Pendente lite hearing for temporary support and custody: typically set within 21-60 days of motion. Virginia requires a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children) before filing no-fault. Arlington County Circuit Court handles all divorces.
How much does a divorce cost in Arlington County, Virginia?
Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86. Sheriff service of process: approximately $12. Private process server: $50-$100. Pendente lite motion: additional court costs. Guardian ad Litem for custody: typically $500-$2,500+. Mediation: $100-$300/hour per party. Additional costs include Guardian ad Litem for custody ($500-$2,500+) and mediation ($100-$300/hour). Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3). Cases filed at Arlington County General District Court.
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). Arlington County Circuit Court (1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400, Arlington, VA 22201) handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Arlington County, Virginia?
Custody in Arlington 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. Arlington County J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Arlington County Circuit Court handles custody within divorce cases. 115 total documented case results across all practice areas (100% favorable outcome rate).
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 Arlington County Circuit Court. Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86; sheriff service of process: approximately $12; private process server: $50-$100; pendente lite motion: additional court costs; Guardian ad Litem for custody: typically $500-$2,500+; mediation: $100-$300/hour per party.
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.
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