Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County divorce is governed by Virginia’s equitable distribution system under Va. Code § 20-107.3, which Mr. Sris personally amended. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented case results in Arlington County. We handle divorce, child custody, support, and property division at Arlington County Circuit Court. Our Arlington location provides full representation for family law matters by appointment only.
Virginia Family Law Statutes
Virginia family law includes divorce (Va. Code § 20-91), equitable distribution of marital property (Va. Code § 20-107.3), child custody based on best interests (Va. Code § 20-124.3), and child support guidelines (Va. Code § 20-108.1). Arlington County Circuit Court at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd handles divorce and property division, while Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody and support matters.
Last verified: March 2026 | Arlington County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Virginia Family Law Resources
For the complete Virginia divorce statutes, see Va. Code Title 20 Chapter 6 (official Virginia General Assembly). Arlington County court information is available at the Arlington County General District Court website.
Arlington County Family Law Process
Arlington County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. 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.
- File divorce complaint with Arlington County Circuit Court with $86 filing fee. Serve spouse with process.
- If temporary support or custody needed, request pendente lite hearing within 21-60 days of motion.
- Complete discovery: exchange financial documents, complete interrogatories, and depose witnesses if needed.
- Attend mediation or settlement conference to resolve issues without trial.
- If no settlement, prepare exhibits, witness lists, and trial brief for Circuit Court judge.
Arlington County Divorce Penalties and Costs
In Arlington County, divorce carries court costs starting at $86 for filing, with additional fees for service, motions, and Guardian ad Litem appointments in custody cases.
| Offense | Classification | Timeline | Court Costs | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | No-fault | 2-4 months | $86+ | 6-month separation (no children) or 1-year separation |
| Contested Divorce | Fault or no-fault | 9-18 months | $86+ plus motion fees | Discovery, possible trial |
| Complex Property Division | Equitable distribution | 12-24 months | $86+ plus experienced fees | Business valuation, forensic accounting |
| Child Custody Case | Best interests standard | 3-12 months | Filing fees plus GAL ($500-$2,500+) | Home study, parenting classes |
Results may vary. Each case depends on specific facts and circumstances.
Virginia Family Law Experience
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, who personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3). With over 120 years of combined attorney experience and 4,739+ firm-wide case results, we provide full representation for Arlington County family law matters. Our tagline reflects our approach: “Global advocacy. Local precision.”
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
Arlington County Family Law Results
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented case results in Arlington County across all practice areas with a 100% favorable outcome rate for family law matters. We handle divorce, custody, support, and property division cases at Arlington County Circuit Court.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Arlington County Family Law Office
Our Arlington location is minutes from Arlington County courts at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, accessible via major highways. We serve as a family law lawyer near Arlington County Courthouse for clients in 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.
1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250
By appointment only
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Arlington County, 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. Virginia requires a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children) before filing no-fault.
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 and mediation.
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 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.
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.
Related Legal Services
For more information about Virginia family law, see our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. We also serve clients in Alexandria family law. In Arlington County, we handle criminal defense and DUI/DWI cases. Learn more about our attorneys.
Last verified: March 2026. Information current as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.