Augusta County Alimony Modification Lawyer — Can Your Spousal Support Be Changed?
If your financial situation has changed, you may need an alimony modification lawyer Augusta County. Virginia law allows for changes to spousal support orders under specific circumstances defined in Va. Code § 20-109. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has handled 13 documented family law results in Augusta County.
Last verified: April 2026 | Augusta County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly
Virginia Law on Modifying Spousal Support
Virginia law, specifically Va. Code § 20-109, governs the modification or termination of spousal support (alimony) awards. The statute provides that a court may modify the amount or duration of spousal support upon a showing of a material change in circumstances. This change must be one that was not reasonably foreseeable at the time of the original support order. The court retains the authority to modify support as long as the right to receive support has not been terminated. It is critical to work with a lawyer who understands how to properly demonstrate this material change to the court.
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of the law, review Va. Code § 20-109 (official Virginia General Assembly website). All modification petitions are filed at the Augusta County Circuit Court in Staunton.
- Consult with an attorney to review your original support order and assess potential grounds for modification.
- Gather full financial documentation proving the material change in circumstances (e.g., tax returns, pay stubs, medical bills, job termination notices).
- Your attorney will draft and file a Petition to Modify Spousal Support with the Augusta County Circuit Court clerk’s office.
- Serve the filed petition and a summons on the other party, providing them legal notice of the requested change.
- Attend any scheduled hearings, where your attorney will present evidence and arguments to support the modification.
- The judge will issue a new order either granting, denying, or adjusting the requested modification to spousal support.
What Constitutes a Material Change?
In Augusta County, a successful petition to modify alimony requires proof of a significant, unforeseen change in the financial needs of the receiving spouse or the paying spouse’s ability to pay.
| Potential Grounds for Modification | Legal Standard | Required Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Involuntary Job Loss / Reduced Income | Substantial & Continuing | Termination letter, unemployment claims, job search records |
| Significant Increase in Income | Material Change | Recent pay stubs, tax returns, contract evidence |
| Serious Illness or Disability | Unforeseen & Impacts Finances | Medical records, doctor statements, increased expense documentation |
| Remarriage of Receiving Spouse | Statutory Termination (Va. Code § 20-110) | Marriage certificate |
| Cohabitation of Receiving Spouse | Analogous to Remarriage | Evidence of shared residence and financial interdependence |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Firm Experience in Family Law Matters
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined attorney experience to complex family law cases. Our firm-wide record includes 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally played a role in amending Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, demonstrating a deep involvement in the evolution of state family law. This foundational experience informs our approach to modifying alimony orders.
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 Augusta County
Our firm has a documented history of achieving favorable outcomes for clients in Augusta County courts across various practice areas, including family law. We have secured 13 total documented case results in the locality with a 100% favorable outcome rate. In every case, our goal is to protect our client’s financial interests and family stability. Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and a former prosecutor with a background in accounting, provides strategic oversight on complex financial aspects of support modification cases.
Contact Our Augusta County Alimony Lawyers
Our Shenandoah/Woodstock location serves clients in Augusta County. We are accessible via I-81 and I-64. If you need an alimony modification lawyer near Augusta County or a lawyer to help change spousal support in Staunton or Waynesboro, contact us.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
505 N Main St #103
Woodstock, VA 22664
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only. We serve the communities of Staunton, Waynesboro, Fishersville, Stuarts Draft, Verona, and Churchville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can alimony be modified in Virginia?
Yes. Under Va. Code § 20-109, a spousal support order can be modified upon a showing of a material change in circumstances that was not foreseen at the time of the original decree. You need to file a petition in the court that issued the original order.
What is considered a material change for alimony modification?
It depends. Virginia courts typically look for substantial, ongoing changes in financial status. Examples include involuntary long-term job loss, a significant increase in the paying spouse’s income, a serious disability, or the receiving spouse’s remarriage or cohabitation. Minor or temporary fluctuations usually do not qualify.
How long does an alimony modification take in Augusta County?
The timeline varies. After filing a petition in Augusta County Circuit Court, a hearing might be scheduled within 60 to 90 days if the case is contested. If both parties agree to the change, the process can be quicker. The complexity of the financial issues involved significantly impacts the duration.
Do I need a lawyer to modify my spousal support order?
Yes. The legal standard for “material change” is strict, and the procedural requirements are specific. An experienced lawyer can gather the necessary evidence, draft persuasive legal arguments, and handle the Augusta County Circuit Court procedures to advocate effectively for your requested change.
Can alimony be terminated completely?
Yes, under certain conditions. Virginia law (Va. Code § 20-110) mandates termination upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the supported spouse. Cohabitation by the supported spouse in a relationship analogous to marriage can also be grounds for termination or reduction.
Related Legal Information
If you are dealing with a family law matter in Augusta County, you may also need information on other services. Our firm also handles criminal defense, DUI defense, and personal injury cases. For more Virginia family law resources, visit our state family law hub. We also assist clients in neighboring jurisdictions like Shenandoah County and Rockingham County.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of verification date. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.