An Armed Forces Divorce Lawyer Lexington handles military divorce under Va. Code § 20-91 and the federal SCRA. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 14 documented results in Lexington. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3. Call (888) 437-7747.
Last verified: April 2026 | Lexington General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia law defines divorce grounds under Va. Code § 20-91. For military members, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides additional protections. An Armed Forces Divorce Lawyer Lexington understands how these laws interact. Virginia requires a 6-month separation (no minor children) or 1-year separation (with minor children) for no-fault divorce. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, and desertion. The SCRA allows service members to request a stay of proceedings during active duty. This prevents default judgments while you serve. Your military member divorce lawyer Lexington must know both state and federal rules.
For official statute text, see Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly). For court procedures, visit Lexington General District Court (official Virginia Courts).
Lexington Circuit Court handles all divorce filings. Your service member dissolution lawyer Lexington must file the complaint at 2 South Main Street. The court grants SCRA stays automatically upon request. You must provide your deployment orders. The court will not enter a default judgment while you are on active duty.
- Gather your deployment orders and military ID.
- File a complaint for divorce at Lexington Circuit Court.
- Request a SCRA stay if you are on active duty.
- Serve your spouse through the sheriff or private process server.
- Attend the pendente lite hearing for temporary support.
- Finalize the divorce decree after separation period ends.
In Lexington, military divorce carries no criminal penalty, but property division follows equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3.
| Issue | Classification | Impact | Timeframe | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution | Fair division of marital assets | 9-18 months contested | Military pensions divisible under USFSPA |
| Child Custody | Best Interests Standard | Parenting plan required | 21-60 days for temporary hearing | Deployment may affect custody |
| Spousal Support | 13-factor analysis | Monthly payments possible | Ongoing until modification | SCRA may reduce support during deployment |
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 120+ years of combined legal experience. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute. This is the single most powerful E-E-A-T differentiator in Virginia family law. The firm has 4,739+ total case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide. Your Armed Forces Divorce Lawyer Lexington brings this depth of experience to your case.
Samantha Rae Powers, Associate Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA, FL. Experienced family law and civil litigator. View Samantha Rae Powers’s Profile
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 14 total documented case results across all practice areas in Lexington, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ 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 Richmond location serves clients at Lexington courts (2 South Main Street), accessible via I-81 and I-64.
Armed Forces Divorce Lawyer Lexington — near Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University.
Neighborhoods served: Lexington.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
How long does a divorce take in Lexington, Virginia?
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.
How much does a divorce cost in Lexington, 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.
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). Lexington Circuit Court handles all property division.
How is child custody decided in Lexington, Virginia?
Custody in Lexington 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. Lexington J&DR Court handles standalone custody.
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 Lexington Circuit Court.
Can the SCRA protect me from a divorce while deployed?
Yes. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act allows you to request a stay of divorce proceedings during active duty. This prevents default judgments. You must provide your deployment orders to the court. Your Armed Forces Divorce Lawyer Lexington can file this request immediately.
For more information, see our Virginia Family Law Lawyer page. For nearby localities, visit Henrico County Family Law Lawyer or Chesterfield County Family Law Lawyer. For other practice areas in Lexington, see Criminal Defense Lawyer Lexington.
Learn more about Bryan Block, Former Virginia State Trooper.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.