Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Prince William County, Virginia
Virginia Family Law Statutes
Virginia family law is governed by specific statutes that determine divorce grounds, property division, child custody, and support. The primary statutes include Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds), § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution), § 20-108.1 (child support guidelines), and § 20-124.2 (custody best interests). Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, giving our firm unique insight into property division cases.
Last verified: March 2026 | Prince William County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Virginia Family Law Resources
For the complete text of Virginia family law statutes, visit the Virginia Code Title 20 Chapter 6 (Domestic Relations). For Prince William County court information, procedures, and forms, refer to the Prince William County General District Court website.
Prince William County Family Court Procedures
Prince William County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110. Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders. Virginia requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested divorce hearing.
- Initial consultation and case assessment: Schedule a consultation with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. to discuss your family law matter. Bring relevant documents including marriage certificate, financial records, and any existing agreements.
- Filing the complaint or petition: File the appropriate documents at Prince William County Circuit Court for divorce or Prince William County J&DR Court for standalone custody matters. Pay the filing fee of approximately $86.
- Serve the other party: Have the sheriff ($12) or a private process server ($50-$100) deliver the legal documents to your spouse or the other parent as required by Virginia law.
- Attend pendente lite hearing if needed: If temporary support or custody orders are needed during the case, attend the pendente lite hearing typically scheduled within 21-60 days of filing the motion.
- Participate in discovery and negotiation: Exchange financial information and other relevant documents. Consider mediation ($100-$300/hour per party) to resolve issues without trial.
- Final hearing or trial: Attend the final hearing for uncontested cases or trial for contested matters at Prince William County Circuit Court to obtain the final decree.
Prince William County Family Law Penalties and Procedures
In Prince William County, family law matters follow Virginia’s equitable distribution system where marital property is divided fairly based on 11 statutory factors, not necessarily 50/50.
| Matter | Court | Timeline | Filing Fee | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | Circuit Court | 2-4 months | $86 | 6-month or 1-year separation |
| Contested Divorce | Circuit Court | 9-18 months | $86 + costs | Mediation often ordered |
| Child Custody | J&DR Court | 3-9 months | Varies | Best interests of child |
| Child Support | J&DR Court | 1-3 months | Varies | Virginia guidelines apply |
| Equitable Distribution | Circuit Court | 12-24 months | $86 + costs | 11 statutory factors |
Results may vary based on individual case circumstances and court decisions.
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). Our firm has over 120 years of combined attorney experience and 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. We provide full representation in Prince William County family law matters with a case-specific approach.
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
Prince William County Family Law Case Results
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 297 documented case results in Prince William County across all practice areas with a 97% favorable outcome rate. Our experience includes successful divorce settlements, favorable custody arrangements, and equitable property division in Prince William County Circuit Court and J&DR Court.
Results may vary based on individual case circumstances and court decisions.
Prince William County Family Law Office
Our Fairfax location serves clients at Prince William County courts (9311 Lee Avenue). We represent clients throughout Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan. As a family law lawyer near Prince William County, we provide 24/7 phone consultations at (888) 437-7747 with meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
4008 Williamsburg Court
Fairfax, VA 22032
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Prince William 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 Prince William 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 services.
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). Prince William County Circuit Court handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Prince William County, Virginia?
Custody in Prince William 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. Prince William County J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Prince William 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 Prince William County Circuit Court. Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86.
Virginia Family Law Resources
For more information about family law in Virginia, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. If you need family law assistance in nearby areas, consider our Fairfax County family law lawyer or Manassas family law lawyer. For other legal needs in Prince William County, see our Prince William County criminal defense lawyer or Prince William County DUI/DWI lawyer. Learn more about our family law attorneys.
Last verified: March 2026. Information updated as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.