In Prince William County, fault grounds for divorce include adultery, cruelty, and desertion under Va. Code § 20-91. A Fault Based Divorce Lawyer Prince William County from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can help you prove these grounds. We have 297 documented case results in Prince William County. Consultation by appointment.
Last verified: April 2026 | Prince William County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia law provides specific fault grounds for divorce lawyer Prince William County clients can pursue. Under Va. Code § 20-91, fault-based divorce grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty (reasonable apprehension of bodily harm), desertion for one year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for one year or more. Unlike no-fault divorce, fault grounds do not require a separation period. An at-fault divorce lawyer Prince William County can file immediately upon proving the ground exists. The court considers fault when dividing marital property under Va. Code § 20-107.3, which Mr. Sris personally amended. Prince William County Circuit Court at 9311 Lee Avenue handles all divorce filings.
For official legal references, consult Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly) for divorce grounds and Prince William County Circuit Court (official court website) for local procedures.
Prince William County Circuit Court requires a corroborating witness for fault-based divorce hearings. The witness must have personal knowledge of the fault ground. Adultery cases often require private investigator testimony. Cruelty cases need medical records or police reports. Desertion cases require proof of intent to abandon. The court schedules fault-based hearings faster than no-fault cases because no separation period is needed.
- Gather evidence of the fault ground (photos, texts, witness statements).
- File a complaint for divorce at Prince William County Circuit Court.
- Serve the spouse with the divorce papers through sheriff or process server.
- Attend the pendente lite hearing for temporary support and custody.
- Prove the fault ground at trial with corroborating evidence.
- Obtain the final divorce decree with property division and support orders.
In Prince William County, fault-based divorce carries no criminal penalty but affects property division and spousal support under Va. Code § 20-107.3.
| Ground | Classification | Separation Required | Evidence Needed | Impact on Property | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery | Fault ground | None | Direct or circumstantial evidence | May reduce marital share | Bars spousal support |
| Cruelty | Fault ground | None | Medical records, police reports | May increase marital share | Protective orders possible |
| Desertion | Fault ground | 1 year | Proof of abandonment | May reduce marital share | Abandonment of minor children |
| Felony Conviction | Fault ground | 1+ year imprisonment | Conviction records | May reduce marital share | Incarceration affects custody |
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 across all practice areas with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute. This amendment directly impacts how fault grounds affect property division in Prince William County divorce cases. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, also handles Prince William County family law cases. He personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 and has over 25 years of experience as a former prosecutor.
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. These results include divorce, custody, and support cases. 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 Fairfax location serves clients at Prince William County courts (9311 Lee Avenue). We are accessible via I-66 and Route 28. A Fault Based Divorce Lawyer Prince William County near Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Fairfax
4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
How long does a fault-based divorce take in Prince William County?
It depends. Adultery cases can finalize in 3-6 months if uncontested. Contested fault divorces take 9-18 months. Cruelty cases with protective orders may proceed faster. Prince William County Circuit Court schedules fault hearings within 60-90 days of filing.
Can I get a divorce for adultery in Prince William County without waiting?
Yes. Adultery has no waiting period under Va. Code § 20-91. You can file immediately upon discovering the adultery. You need corroborating evidence beyond your own testimony. Private investigator testimony or text messages can serve as evidence.
What evidence do I need for a cruelty divorce in Prince William County?
You need medical records showing injuries, police reports documenting incidents, photographs of injuries, and witness testimony. The court requires proof of reasonable apprehension of bodily harm. Verbal abuse alone does not qualify as cruelty under Virginia law.
Does fault affect property division in Prince William County?
Yes. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, the court considers fault when dividing marital property. Adultery or cruelty can reduce the at-fault spouse’s share. Mr. Sris personally amended this statute. The court has discretion to award a larger share to the innocent spouse.
Can I get spousal support if I committed adultery in Prince William County?
No. Virginia law bars spousal support for a spouse who committed adultery. This applies even if the adultery occurred after separation. Other fault grounds like cruelty or desertion do not automatically bar support. The court considers all 13 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.1.
What is the filing fee for a fault-based divorce in Prince William County?
The Circuit Court filing fee for a divorce complaint is approximately $86. Sheriff service of process costs about $12. Private process server fees range from $50-$100. Pendente lite motions require additional court costs. Guardian ad Litem fees for custody cases range from $500-$2,500+.
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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.