A Desertion Divorce Lawyer Manassas Park handles cases under Va. Code § 20-91 where one spouse abandons the other for one year. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 3 documented results in Manassas Park. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute. Consultation by appointment.
Virginia Desertion Divorce Law — Va. Code § 20-91
Under Virginia law, desertion is a fault-based ground for divorce. Va. Code § 20-91(6) requires proof that one spouse willfully abandoned the other for a continuous period of one year without just cause. The abandoning spouse must have left with the intent to permanently end the marriage. Unlike no-fault divorce, desertion does not require a separation agreement or waiting period beyond the one-year abandonment. The spouse seeking the divorce must prove the desertion occurred and lasted the full statutory period. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has handled desertion divorce cases since 1997, and Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs property division in all Virginia divorces.
Last verified: April 2026 | Manassas Park General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
For the complete statutory framework governing desertion divorce, review Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly). For court procedures and filing requirements, visit the Manassas Park General District Court website.
Insider Procedural Edge — Desertion Divorce in Manassas Park
In Manassas Park Circuit Court, desertion divorce cases require corroborating witness testimony. The court at 9311 Lee Avenue handles all divorce filings. You must prove the desertion lasted one full year without interruption.
Prosecutors in Manassas Park scrutinize desertion claims carefully. They look for evidence of the abandoning spouse’s intent to permanently end the marriage.
- Step 1: Gather evidence of desertion — document the date your spouse left, any communication showing intent to abandon, and witness statements.
- Step 2: File a complaint for divorce at Manassas Park Circuit Court, 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110.
- Step 3: Serve your spouse with the divorce complaint through sheriff service ($12) or private process server ($50-$100).
- Step 4: Attend the pendente lite hearing (typically within 21-60 days) for temporary support and custody orders.
- Step 5: Present your case at trial with corroborating witness testimony proving the one-year desertion.
- Step 6: Obtain the final divorce decree including equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3.
In Manassas Park, desertion divorce carries no criminal penalty but affects property division and spousal support under Va. Code § 20-107.3.
| Issue | Classification | Impact on Divorce | Time Requirement | Evidence Needed | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desertion | Fault Ground | No waiting period beyond 1 year | 1 year continuous | Proof of abandonment intent | May affect spousal support |
| No-Fault | No-Fault Ground | 6-month separation (no children) or 1-year | 6-12 months | Separation agreement | Standard property division |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for Your Desertion Divorce?
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience. The firm has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C., with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs property division in every Virginia divorce. This achievement is unique among Virginia family law attorneys and demonstrates deep legislative experience. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, also handles complex desertion divorce cases. He is a former prosecutor with bar admissions in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C. He personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3.
Case Results in Manassas Park
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 3 total documented case results across all practice areas in Manassas Park, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Manassas Park Location
Our Fairfax location is approximately 12 miles from Manassas Park Circuit Court (9311 Lee Avenue), accessible via Route 28, Route 234, and I-66.
Looking for a desertion divorce lawyer near Manassas Park? We serve all of Manassas Park including the community center area and Signal Hill Park.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Desertion Divorce in Manassas Park
What is the difference between desertion and separation in Virginia?
Yes. Desertion requires proof that one spouse willfully abandoned the other with intent to permanently end the marriage. Separation simply means living apart. Desertion is a fault ground under Va. Code § 20-91; no-fault separation requires 6 months (no children) or 1 year.
How long does a desertion divorce take in Manassas Park?
It depends. You must prove desertion lasted one continuous year before filing. After filing, an uncontested desertion divorce takes 2-4 months. A contested desertion divorce with property disputes takes 9-18 months. Manassas Park Circuit Court handles all filings.
Can I get a desertion divorce if my spouse left but came back?
No. Virginia law requires the desertion to be continuous for one full year. If your spouse returned during that year, the clock resets. You must prove uninterrupted abandonment with intent to permanently end the marriage. Consult a Desertion Divorce Lawyer Manassas Park for your specific situation.
How does desertion affect property division in Manassas Park?
It depends. Virginia is an equitable distribution state under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (personally amended by Mr. Sris). Desertion may affect how the court divides marital property. The court considers fault in property division. A Desertion Divorce Lawyer Manassas Park can explain how desertion impacts your case.
What evidence do I need for a desertion divorce in Manassas Park?
You need proof of the date your spouse left, evidence they intended to permanently abandon the marriage, and corroborating witness testimony. Text messages, emails, lease agreements showing separate residences, and witness statements all help prove desertion. A Desertion Divorce Lawyer Manassas Park can help gather this evidence.
Can I file for desertion divorce if my spouse abandoned me and the children?
Yes. Desertion of a spouse and children is still desertion under Va. Code § 20-91. The one-year abandonment requirement still applies. Child custody and support are handled separately under Va. Code § 20-124.2 and § 20-108.1. A Desertion Divorce Lawyer Manassas Park can handle both the divorce and custody matters.
Related Pages:
- Virginia Family Law Lawyer
- Fairfax County Divorce Lawyer
- Prince William County Divorce Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer Manassas Park
- DUI Lawyer Manassas Park
Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.