Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia
In Arlington County, Virginia divorce follows equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3, personally amended by Mr. Sris. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented case results in Arlington County. Our Kinship Adoption Lawyer Arlington County team handles complex family matters with a case-specific approach.
Virginia Family Law Statutes and Arlington County Courts
Virginia is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily 50/50. The court considers 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution — personally amended by Mr. Sris). No-fault divorce requires a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children). Fault grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for 1 year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for 1+ year. 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.
Last verified: April 2026 | Arlington County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Resources and Court Information
Review the official Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly) for equitable distribution statutes. For court procedures and filing information, visit the Arlington County General District Court website.
Insider Procedural Edge: Arlington County Family Law
Arlington County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Arlington 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. The Circuit Court at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400, Arlington, VA 22201 handles Arlington County family law matters.
- File the Complaint: File a complaint for divorce at Arlington County Circuit Court (1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400). Filing fee is approximately $86.
- Serve Your Spouse: Serve the complaint via sheriff ($12) or private process server ($50-$100).
- File a Pendente Lite Motion: If temporary support or custody is needed, file a pendente lite motion. Hearing typically set within 21-60 days.
- Attend Mediation: Mediation is available ($100-$300/hour per party) to resolve issues without trial.
- Final Hearing: For uncontested divorce with signed separation agreement: 2-4 months. Contested: 9-18 months.
Family Law Outcomes and Considerations in Arlington County
In Arlington County, Virginia family law outcomes depend on the specific circumstances of your case, including the type of divorce, custody arrangements, and property division.
| Issue | Classification | Timeline | Filing Fee | Additional Costs | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | No-fault | 2-4 months | $86 | Service of process: $12-$100 | Requires signed separation agreement |
| Contested Divorce | Fault or No-fault | 9-18 months | $86 | Guardian ad Litem: $500-$2,500+ | Complex equitable distribution may take 12-24 months |
| Child Custody | Best interests of child | Varies | Varies | Mediation: $100-$300/hour | 10 factors under Va. Code § 20-124.3 |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Experience and Authority in Arlington County Family Law
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 firm-wide 4,739+ total documented case results across all practice areas. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, which is a significant achievement in Virginia family law. This amendment directly impacts how marital property is divided in Arlington County divorces. 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
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 dismissals, not guilty verdicts, and favorable dispositions in family law and related matters.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Arlington County Location
Our Arlington location is at 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719, Arlington, VA 22209. We serve clients at Arlington County courts (1425 N. Courthouse Rd).
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250
24/7 phone consultations. Meetings by appointment only.
We serve: Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, Shirlington.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Arlington County
How long does a divorce take in Arlington 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 Arlington County, Virginia?
It depends. 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). 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.
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Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.