Prince William County family law matters — divorce, custody, and support — fall under Va. Code § 20-91 and § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution, personally amended by Mr. Sris). Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 297 documented case results in Prince William County. A Private Adoption Lawyer Prince William County can guide you through the legal process. Consultation by appointment.
Virginia family law governs divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division. Virginia is an equitable distribution state under Va. Code § 20-107.3 — marital property is divided fairly, not necessarily 50/50. No-fault divorce requires a 6-month separation (no minor children with a signed agreement) or a 1-year separation (with minor children). Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion for one year, and felony conviction with one year or more of imprisonment. Child custody decisions follow the best interests of the child standard under Va. Code § 20-124.3, which considers 10 factors. Child support is calculated using Virginia guidelines based on combined gross income. Spousal support is determined by 13 statutory factors under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, who personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute. This amendment is a documented, real-world achievement that provides a unique advantage in family law cases.
Last verified: April 2026 | Prince William County General District Court | Va. Code Title 20 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Family law in Virginia covers divorce, custody, support, and property division. The primary statutes governing these matters are Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds), § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution), § 20-108.1 (child support guidelines), and § 20-124.2 (custody best interests). Each area has specific legal requirements and procedures.
For official legal references, consult the Virginia Code Title 20 (Domestic Relations) and the Prince William County General District Court website. These government sources provide the most current statutory language and court procedures.
Prince William County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. 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. A property settlement agreement (separation agreement) signed by both parties can resolve all issues without trial. Mediation is available but not mandatory in Virginia. Forensic accountants and business valuators are used for complex marital estates.
- File a complaint for divorce at the Prince William County Circuit Court, 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse through the sheriff’s office or a private process server.
- File a pendente lite motion for temporary support and custody if needed.
- Attend mediation or negotiate a settlement agreement.
- If no agreement is reached, attend a contested hearing before the judge.
- Receive the final decree of divorce from the court.
In Prince William County, family law matters involve legal standards and potential outcomes that vary by case type. The table below outlines key aspects of Virginia family law.
| Issue | Legal Standard | Timeline | Court | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce (No-Fault) | 6-month or 1-year separation | 2-4 months (uncontested); 9-18 months (contested) | Circuit Court | Separation agreement, corroborating witness |
| Divorce (Fault) | Adultery, cruelty, desertion, felony conviction | Varies | Circuit Court | Proof of fault grounds |
| Child Custody | Best interests of the child (10 factors) | Varies | J&DR Court or Circuit Court | Parental roles, child’s relationship, abuse history |
| Child Support | Virginia guidelines based on combined income | Ongoing | J&DR Court or Circuit Court | Income, custody arrangement, healthcare costs |
| Spousal Support | 13 statutory factors | Varies | Circuit Court | Duration of marriage, earning capacity, contributions |
| Equitable Distribution | Fair division (not necessarily 50/50) | Varies | Circuit Court | 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3 |
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 has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia, with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute — a documented, real-world achievement that provides a unique advantage in Virginia family law cases. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
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
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. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ documented case results across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia, with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Fairfax location is approximately 15 miles from the Prince William County Circuit Court at 9311 Lee Avenue, accessible via I-66 and Route 28. A family law lawyer near Prince William County can help with your case. We serve Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032
By appointment only.
How long does a divorce take in Prince William County, Virginia?
It depends. 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 Prince William County, Virginia?
Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86. Sheriff service of process: approximately $12. Private process server: $50-$100. 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 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.
For more information, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer page. For nearby localities, see our Fairfax County Family Law Lawyer page. For related practice areas in Prince William County, see our Prince William County Criminal Defense Lawyer page.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of this date. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.