In Arlington County, Virginia divorce follows equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (personally amended by Mr. Sris) with no-fault grounds after 6-month or 1-year separation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented case results in Arlington County. An Out Of State Divorce Enforcement Lawyer Arlington County handles cross-jurisdictional support and custody orders.
Virginia Divorce Law and Equitable Distribution
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 to determine fair division. Mr. Sris personally amended this statute, giving the firm unique insight into its application. For no-fault divorce, Virginia requires a 6-month separation if no minor children are involved with a signed separation agreement, or 1-year separation if minor children are present. Fault-based grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for 1 year, and felony conviction with 1+ year imprisonment. Child support follows 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
For the complete text of Virginia’s divorce and equitable distribution statutes, see Va. Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (official Virginia General Assembly). For Arlington County Circuit Court procedures and forms, visit the Arlington County General District Court website.
Insider Procedural Edge: Arlington County Family Court
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 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 Arlington County Circuit Court (1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400).
- Serve the complaint on your spouse via sheriff or private process server.
- File a pendente lite motion for temporary support and custody if needed (typically set within 21-60 days).
- Attend mediation or negotiate a property settlement agreement.
- Present your case at the final hearing with corroborating witness testimony.
- Receive the final decree of divorce from the court.
In Arlington County, Virginia divorce outcomes depend on the type of divorce, grounds, and complexity of assets. Equitable distribution divides marital property fairly but not equally.
| Issue | Classification | Timeline | Cost | Key Factors | Additional Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | No-fault | 2-4 months | $86 filing fee + service costs | 6-month separation (no minor children) or 1-year separation (with minor children) | Signed separation agreement required |
| Contested Divorce | No-fault or fault | 9-18 months | $86 filing fee + discovery costs | Equitable distribution of assets | May require experienced witnesses |
| Complex Equitable Distribution | No-fault or fault | 12-24 months | $86 filing fee + business valuation costs | Business valuation, retirement assets | Forensic accountant often needed |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for Your Arlington County Family Law Case
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to every case. The firm has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C., with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs how marital property is divided in Virginia divorces. This rare achievement demonstrates the firm’s deep understanding of Virginia family law. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Arlington County Case Results
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, nolle prosequi dispositions, and deferred dispositions on not guilty pleas in Arlington County courts.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Arlington County Family Law Lawyer Near You
Our Arlington location at 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719, Arlington, VA 22209 is conveniently located near the Arlington County Courthouse. We serve clients throughout Arlington County, including Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington.
Looking for a family law lawyer near Arlington? Our office is accessible via major highways and public transit. We offer 24/7 phone consultations at (888) 437-7747, with meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Arlington
1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719, Arlington, VA 22209
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce 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.
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).
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).
For more information about Virginia family law, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. If you need a family law attorney in a neighboring locality, see our Alexandria Family Law Lawyer page. For other legal needs in Arlington County, explore our Arlington County Criminal Defense Lawyer or Arlington County DUI Lawyer pages.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.