Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County divorce is governed by Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, which was personally amended by Mr. Sris of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. The firm has 115 documented case results in Arlington County. We provide full representation for divorce, child custody, and property division matters filed at the Arlington County Circuit Court.
Virginia family law statutes define divorce grounds, property division, and child support. The primary statutes are Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds), § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution), § 20-108.1 (child support guidelines), and § 20-124.2 (custody best interests). Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, uses this legal framework to advocate for clients.
Last verified: March 2026 | Arlington County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
For the official Virginia family law statutes, visit the Virginia Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (official Virginia General Assembly). For Arlington County court information, see the Arlington County General District Court website.
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.
- File the initial complaint for divorce or other family law action with the Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Pay the filing fee (approximately $86).
- Have the complaint and summons served on your spouse by a sheriff, private process server, or through acceptance of service.
- If temporary support or custody orders are needed, file a motion for pendente lite relief. A hearing is typically set within 21-60 days.
- Exchange financial documents and other relevant information through interrogatories, requests for production, and depositions.
- Participate in settlement negotiations or court-ordered mediation to resolve issues like property division, support, and custody.
- If settlement fails, the case proceeds to a bench trial before a Circuit Court judge, who will decide all contested issues.
In Arlington County, family law matters involve specific procedures and potential outcomes based on Virginia statutes. No-fault divorce requires a 6-month separation (no minor children) or a 1-year separation (with minor children).
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contempt of Court (Failure to pay support) | Civil / Criminal Contempt | Up to 10 days jail per occurrence | Court costs + arrears | Driver’s license suspension | Professional license suspension, passport denial |
| Violation of Protective Order | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months jail | Up to $2,500 | Possible suspension | Firearms prohibition, mandatory anger management |
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
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. Global advocacy. Local precision.
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 115 total documented case results across all practice areas in Arlington County, with a 100% favorable outcome rate for family law matters. This includes cases involving divorce, child custody disputes, and complex property division.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Our Arlington location is minutes from the Arlington County courts at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, accessible via major local highways. We serve as a family law lawyer near Arlington County and the surrounding neighborhoods of Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington.
24/7 phone consultations — (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 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 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.
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.
For more information, see our Virginia family law lawyer hub page. We also serve clients in Alexandria City. If you need other legal services, consider our Arlington County criminal defense lawyer or Arlington County DUI/DWI lawyer. 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.