In Goochland County, a fault based divorce under Va. Code § 20-91 allows you to file immediately for adultery, cruelty, or desertion without the standard separation period. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4 documented case results in Goochland County. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3.
Last verified: April 2026 | Goochland County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia law provides specific fault grounds for divorce lawyer Goochland County clients can use. Under Va. Code § 20-91, fault-based grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty (reasonable apprehension of bodily harm), desertion (abandonment for one year), and felony conviction (imprisonment for one year or more). Unlike no-fault divorce requiring a 6-month or 1-year separation, fault grounds allow immediate filing. The at-fault divorce lawyer Goochland County residents trust can explain how fault grounds affect property division, spousal support, and custody determinations under Va. Code § 20-107.3, which Mr. Sris personally amended.
Review the official statutes: Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds — official Virginia General Assembly) and Goochland County Circuit Court (official court website).
- File a verified complaint at Goochland County Circuit Court, 2938 River Road West, Bldg G, Goochland, VA 23063.
- Pay the filing fee of approximately $86 and arrange service of process on your spouse.
- Attend the pendente lite hearing within 21-60 days for temporary support and custody orders.
- Complete discovery, including financial affidavits and asset documentation.
- Participate in mediation or settlement negotiations before trial.
- Present corroborating witness testimony at the final divorce hearing.
In Goochland County, fault-based divorce grounds carry no criminal penalties but affect property division, spousal support, and custody determinations under Va. Code § 20-107.3.
| Ground | Classification | Waiting Period | Impact on Property | Impact on Support | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery | Fault ground | None | Court may consider marital waste | Bar to spousal support | No separation period required |
| Cruelty | Fault ground | None | Court considers fault in division | May affect support amount | Reasonable apprehension standard |
| Desertion | Fault ground | 1 year | Court considers fault in division | May affect support amount | Abandonment must be willful |
| Felony conviction | Fault ground | 1 year imprisonment | Court considers fault in division | May affect support amount | Conviction must be felony |
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 firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, providing unique insight into fault-based divorce proceedings. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Mr. Sris, Owner & CEO, Managing Attorney, provides secondary oversight on all Goochland County family law cases. He founded the firm in 1997, personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, and has bar admissions in VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4 total documented case results across all practice areas in Goochland County, 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 Goochland County courts (2938 River Road West), accessible via I-64, Route 6, Route 250, and Route 522.
Fault based divorce lawyer near Goochland County — serving Goochland, Crozier, and Oilville.
24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Yes. Adultery, cruelty, desertion (1 year), and felony conviction (1+ year imprisonment) are recognized fault grounds under Va. Code § 20-91.
No waiting period for adultery or cruelty. Desertion requires 1 year of abandonment. Felony conviction requires 1+ year imprisonment.
It depends. Adultery can bar spousal support. The court considers fault under the 11-factor test in Va. Code § 20-107.3 for property division.
Yes. You must prove fault by a preponderance of the evidence with corroborating witness testimony at Goochland County Circuit Court.
Yes. You can file for no-fault divorce after 6-month separation (no minor children) or 1-year separation (with minor children).
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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