Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia
Virginia Family Law Statutes for Arlington County
Virginia is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. This means marital property is divided fairly based on 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3, a statute personally amended by Mr. Sris of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Grounds for divorce include no-fault separation (6 months without minor children or 1 year with children) and fault grounds like adultery or cruelty under Va. Code § 20-91.
Last verified: March 2026 | Arlington County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to family law cases in Arlington.
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Virginia family law statutes, visit the Virginia Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (official Virginia General Assembly). For Arlington County court information, forms, and procedures, refer to the Arlington County General District Court website.
Arlington County Family Court Process
Arlington County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. The 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.
- File initial pleadings: File a complaint for divorce, custody, or support at the Arlington County Circuit Court clerk’s office with the required filing fee.
- Serve the other party: Have the complaint and summons served on your spouse or the other parent by sheriff, private process server, or acceptance of service.
- Attend pendente lite hearing: If temporary orders for support or custody are needed, request a pendente lite hearing, typically scheduled within 21-60 days.
- Complete discovery: Exchange financial documents, answer interrogatories, and conduct depositions to gather evidence for property division and support calculations.
- Attempt settlement: Participate in mediation or settlement conferences to try to resolve issues without a trial, which can save time and cost.
- Proceed to trial: If settlement fails, present your case at trial before a judge at the Arlington County Circuit Court for a final decision.
Penalties and Legal Standards in Arlington County
In Arlington County, family law cases involve equitable distribution of property, child support based on Virginia guidelines, and potential spousal support based on 13 statutory factors.
| Offense / Issue | Classification / Standard | Potential Outcome | Financial Impact | Other Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce (Uncontested) | No-fault separation | Final decree in 2-4 months | Court fees: ~$86 + service costs | Property division per agreement |
| Divorce (Contested) | Fault or contested no-fault | Trial in 9-18 months | Court costs + attorney fees + experienced fees (e.g., business valuator) | Court-ordered property division, support |
| Child Custody | Best interests of child (10 factors) | Parenting plan ordered | Guardian ad Litem: $500-$2,500+ | Decision on physical/legal custody |
| Child Support | Virginia guidelines based on income | Monthly payment order | Based on combined gross income & number of children | Enforceable by contempt |
| Spousal Support | 13 statutory factors | Temporary or permanent award | Amount and duration vary widely | Tax implications (payer deductible/recipient income) |
Results may vary. Each case depends on unique facts and evidence.
Firm Credentials and Local Recognition
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). The firm has over 120 years of combined attorney experience and a documented record of 4,739+ case results firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Our tagline, “Global advocacy. Local precision,” reflects our approach to Arlington County family law.
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 for family law matters we have handled. These results include dismissals, favorable settlements, and court rulings in divorce, custody, and support cases.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Local Arlington County Family Law Office
Our Arlington location is near the Arlington County courts at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, accessible via major local highways. We are a family law lawyer near Arlington County Courthouse, serving Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington. We offer 24/7 phone consultations at (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. Virginia requires a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children) before filing no-fault. Arlington County Circuit Court handles all divorces.
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. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3).
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 on family law across Virginia, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. If you are in a nearby locality, see our Alexandria City family law lawyer page. For other legal needs in Arlington County, we also handle criminal defense and DUI/DWI defense. Learn more about your attorney on the Bryan Block profile page.
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.