Family Law Lawyer New Kent County, VA
You are driving home on Route 33 after work, passing the historic New Kent County Courthouse, and the weight of the decision settles in—you need to file for divorce. Maybe you and your spouse have already talked about it. Maybe the conversation has not happened yet. Either way, you are looking for a family law lawyer in New Kent County, Virginia, who understands what is at stake: your children, your home, your financial future. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
Strategy Options for Your Family Law Matter
Every family law case follows its own path, and the approach that worked for your neighbor in Providence Forge may not be the right fit for your situation. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel start by understanding where you are and where you want to be. Some couples in New Kent County reach agreement on property division, support, and custody before either party sets foot in the Circuit Court on Courthouse Circle. When both sides are willing to negotiate, a separation agreement can resolve all issues without a trial, saving time and reducing conflict.
Other cases require litigation. When one spouse contests the divorce, disputes custody, or hides assets, the matter proceeds through the New Kent County Circuit Court at 12001 Courthouse Circle. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel prepare every case as though it will go to trial, even when settlement remains the goal. That preparation—gathering financial records, identifying marital versus separate property, and building a custody record—positions you to negotiate from strength. For a full statutory breakdown of Virginia divorce law, see the comprehensive analysis at srislawyer.com.
What to Expect When You Work with Our Firm
Your first conversation with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. is a consultation about your specific circumstances. You will describe your situation, and Mr. Sris or his Of Counsel will walk you through the legal framework that applies. There is no one-size-fits-all timeline; the court schedules hearings on its calendar, and the pace depends on whether your case is uncontested or contested, the complexity of your marital assets, and whether custody is in dispute.
After the initial consultation, the firm handles the preparation and filing of your Complaint in the New Kent County Circuit Court. If temporary support or custody orders are needed while the case is pending, a pendente lite motion can be filed. Discovery follows—exchanging financial information, appraising real estate or business interests, and, where necessary, engaging forensic accountants to trace separate property claims. Throughout the process, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel keep you informed and involved in key decisions.
Virginia Family Law—The Landscape
Virginia is an equitable distribution state, which means marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The court considers multiple statutory factors, including the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions to the family’s well-being, and the circumstances that led to the dissolution. Separate property—assets owned before the marriage, inheritances, and gifts to one spouse—is generally excluded from division, though tracing separate property in a long marriage can be complex.
Virginia law provides both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce. No-fault divorce is available after a six-month separation if the parties have no minor children and have signed a separation agreement, or after a one-year separation in all other cases. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion for one year, and felony conviction resulting in imprisonment of more than one year.
Source: Va. Code § 20-91. Virginia Code § 20-91
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
Child custody in New Kent County is determined by the best interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3. The court examines the relationship between the child and each parent, each parent’s role in the child’s upbringing, any history of family abuse, and the child’s own preferences if of suitable age and maturity. The New Kent County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles standalone custody, visitation, and support matters, while the Circuit Court addresses custody within the divorce proceeding itself.
Child support follows the Virginia guidelines based on the combined gross income of both parents. Spousal support, when awarded, is analyzed under the factors in Va. Code § 20-107.1, including the duration of the marriage, the standard of living established during the marriage, and each spouse’s earning capacity and financial resources.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced since 1997 and is a former prosecutor. That background gives him insight into how cases are built from the opposing side—a perspective that informs his approach to negotiation and litigation in family law matters. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), a bill that revised the equitable distribution statute.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience with 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary. The firm’s Richmond Location at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225, serves clients throughout New Kent County, including the communities of New Kent, Providence Forge, and Quinton. Mr. Sris is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in New Kent County, Virginia?
The time it takes to finalize a divorce in New Kent County depends primarily on whether the case is contested. An uncontested divorce with a signed separation agreement and the required separation period already completed can move from filing to final decree in a matter of months, subject to the court’s calendar. A contested divorce—one involving disputes over custody, support, or property division—takes longer because it requires discovery, potential mediation, and possibly trial. The New Kent County Circuit Court schedules hearings based on its docket, and complex equitable distribution cases with business valuations or retirement assets require additional time for experienced attorney analysis.
How much does a divorce cost in New Kent County?
The cost of a divorce in New Kent County varies by case. Filing fees apply in the Circuit Court, and additional costs may include service of process, mediation, and expert witnesses such as business valuators or forensic accountants when complex assets are involved. An uncontested divorce where both parties have agreed on all terms generally costs less than a contested case that proceeds through discovery and trial. For guidance on the costs specific to your situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Is Virginia a community property state?
Virginia is not a community property state. It follows the equitable distribution model, which means marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The court considers multiple factors, including each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, the duration of the marriage, and the circumstances that led to the divorce. Separate property—assets acquired before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance—is generally excluded from the marital estate and remains with the owning spouse. The New Kent County Circuit Court at 12001 Courthouse Circle handles all property division matters.
How is child custody decided in New Kent County?
Child custody in New Kent County is decided based on the best interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3. The court evaluates factors including each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s needs and adjustment to home and school, each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent, and any history of family abuse. The New Kent County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles standalone custody cases, while custody within a divorce is addressed in the Circuit Court. To discuss custody concerns specific to your family, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need a lawyer for a divorce in New Kent County?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer to file for divorce in Virginia, but representing yourself means navigating procedural rules, evidentiary requirements, and statutory factors without guidance. Even in an uncontested divorce, Virginia requires at least one corroborating witness at the final hearing, and errors in the separation agreement or Complaint can delay the process. When children, real estate, retirement accounts, or business interests are involved, the stakes are high enough that legal guidance helps protect your rights. For a consultation about your specific matter, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Request a Consultation
If you are facing a divorce, custody dispute, support issue, or any family law matter in New Kent County, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are available to discuss your situation. The firm serves clients from its Richmond Location at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225—convenient to New Kent, Providence Forge, and Quinton via I-64. Consultations are by appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
Richmond Location
7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395
Richmond, VA 23225
(888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Virginia divorce lawyer — srislawyer.com
Virginia Code Title 20 — Domestic Relations · New Kent County Circuit Court
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