Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Stafford County, Virginia
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides experienced family law representation in Stafford County, Virginia. Virginia is an equitable distribution state under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (personally amended by Mr. Sris). No-fault divorce requires a 6-month separation (no minor children) or 1-year separation. Our firm has 119 documented case results in Stafford County across all practice areas.
Family law in Virginia governs divorce, child custody, support, and property division. The primary statutes are Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds), § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution), § 20-108.1 (child support), and § 20-124.2 (custody). Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor who founded the firm in 1997, personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute.
Last verified: March 2026 | Stafford County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official resources: Va. Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (Divorce and Annulment) and the Stafford County General District Court website.
Stafford County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Stafford County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders.
- File initial pleadings at the Stafford County Circuit Court clerk’s office.
- Serve the other party through the sheriff or a private process server.
- Attend the scheduling conference to set discovery and mediation dates.
- Complete discovery and attend mediation to attempt settlement.
- Prepare for a bench trial if no agreement is reached.
- Obtain the final decree addressing all issues.
In Stafford County, family law matters involve specific procedures and costs rather than penalties. The Circuit Court filing fee for a divorce complaint is approximately $86.
| Matter | Court | Typical Timeline | Key Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | Stafford Circuit Court | 2-4 months | $86 filing fee |
| Contested Divorce | Stafford Circuit Court | 9-18 months | Filing fee + process server |
| Child Custody | Stafford J&DR Court | Varies | Guardian ad Litem: $500-$2,500+ |
| Complex Property Division | Stafford Circuit Court | 12-24 months | Business valuation + forensic accountant |
Results may vary. Each case depends on unique facts and circumstances.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined attorney experience and 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3.
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 119 total documented case results across all practice areas in Stafford County, with a 100% favorable outcome rate for family law matters.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Our Fairfax location serves clients at Stafford County courts (1300 Courthouse Road), accessible via I-95, Route 1, Route 17, and Route 610. We are a family law lawyer near Stafford County and near Quantico Marine Corps Base.
We serve Stafford, Aquia Harbour, Brooke and surrounding communities.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
4008 Williamsburg Court
Fairfax, VA 22032
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Stafford 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. Virginia requires a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children) before filing no-fault.
How much does a divorce cost in Stafford 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.
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). Stafford County Circuit Court (1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554) handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Stafford County, Virginia?
Custody in Stafford 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. Stafford County J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Stafford 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 Stafford County Circuit Court. Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86; sheriff service of process: approximately $12.
For more information, see our Virginia family law lawyer hub page. We also serve nearby areas including Fairfax County family law lawyer and Prince William County family law lawyer. In Stafford County, we also handle criminal defense and DUI/DWI defense. Learn more about our attorneys.
Last verified: March 2026. Information current as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.