Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County divorce is governed by Virginia’s equitable distribution laws 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 with a 100% favorable outcome rate. We provide full representation for divorce, child custody, support, and complex property division. Our Arlington location serves clients by appointment only.
Virginia Family Law Statutes for Arlington County
Virginia family law operates under specific statutes that determine divorce, property division, and child-related matters. Arlington County cases are heard in the Arlington County Circuit Court for divorce and equitable distribution, and the Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for standalone custody and support issues.
Key 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, founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 1997 with a background as a former prosecutor, personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, giving our firm direct insight into this critical statute.
Last verified: March 2026 | Arlington County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the most current Virginia family law statutes, refer to the official Va. Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (Domestic Relations) maintained by the Virginia General Assembly. For Arlington County court procedures and forms, visit the Arlington County General District Court website.
Arlington County Family Law Process
Family law cases in Arlington County follow specific local procedures. The Arlington County Circuit Court at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders.
- Initial consultation and document gathering: Schedule a consultation with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. to discuss your situation. Gather financial documents, marriage certificate, and any existing agreements.
- Filing the complaint: Your attorney files the divorce complaint with Arlington County Circuit Court, paying the $86 filing fee and arranging service of process.
- Discovery and negotiation: Both parties exchange financial information through discovery. Your attorney negotiates a settlement on property division, support, and custody.
- Court hearings and final decree: Attend any required hearings for temporary orders. If settlement is reached, submit the agreement to the court. If not, prepare for trial.
Penalties and Legal Standards in Arlington County
In Arlington 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 | Classification | Timeline | Costs | Legal Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | No-fault | 2-4 months | $86 filing + service | 6-month/1-year separation |
| Contested Divorce | Fault/No-fault | 9-18 months | $86+ filing + litigation | Grounds under Va. Code § 20-91 |
| Complex Property Division | Equitable Distribution | 12-24 months | $86+ filing + experts | 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3 |
| Child Custody | Best Interests | Varies | Court costs + GAL | 10 factors under Va. Code § 20-124.3 |
| Child Support | Guidelines | Ongoing | Court costs | Va. Code § 20-108.1 guidelines |
Results may vary based on the specific facts of each case.
Firm Credentials and Experience
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor with a background in accounting and information systems. The firm has over 120 years of combined attorney experience and 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Our tagline “Global advocacy. Local precision.” reflects our approach to family law matters in Arlington County.
Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3), giving our firm unique insight into this critical area of family law. This direct legislative experience provides an advantage in complex property division cases involving businesses, retirement assets, and international holdings.
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
Case Results in Arlington County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 total documented case results across all practice areas in Arlington County with a 100% favorable outcome rate. These results include divorces with complex property division, child custody modifications, and support enforcement matters handled in Arlington County Circuit Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Results may vary based on the specific facts of each case.
Local Family Law Representation
Our Arlington location at 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719, Arlington, VA 22209 serves clients at the Arlington County courts. We represent clients throughout Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington. As a family law lawyer near Arlington County Courthouse, we provide convenient access for court appearances and meetings.
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.
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.
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). 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.
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.
Related Legal Services
For more information about our family law services throughout Virginia, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. If you need representation in nearby Alexandria, see our Alexandria family law lawyer page. For other legal needs in Arlington County, we also handle criminal defense and DUI/DWI cases. Learn more about our attorneys’ experience.
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.