Military Divorce Lawyer Manassas, VA

A military divorce in Manassas, Virginia raises issues that do not appear in a civilian dissolution — the division of a military pension, the impact of deployment on custody, and the protections of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys represent servicemembers and their spouses in the Manassas Circuit Court and the surrounding Prince William County area, including cases involving the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act and Virginia equitable distribution law. The firm has practiced in Virginia since 1997 and appears regularly before the Thirty-first Judicial District. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

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What Military Divorce Means in Manassas, Virginia

Manassas sits within the greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area and is close to several major military installations, including Marine Corps Base Quantico, Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon, and Joint Base Andrews. Consequently, Manassas family courts routinely handle divorces where one or both spouses are active-duty, reserve, or retired military personnel. Military divorce in Virginia is governed by the same substantive family law — Title 20 of the Virginia Code — that applies to all divorces, but the presence of a military career adds statutory overlays that can change every aspect of the case, from service of process to the final property division.

The Manassas Circuit Court, located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110, has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce actions in the city and also serves Manassas Park and Prince William County matters. The court applies Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, to classify and divide marital property, which often includes military retired pay subject to the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act. Because the Circuit Court judge considers the eleven statutory factors set out in § 20-107.3, the unique realities of a military career — frequent relocations, overseas deployments, and the accrual of a defined-benefit pension — can significantly influence the outcome. The firm’s attorneys are familiar with how the Manassas Circuit Court approaches these issues and with the procedural requirements of the Virginia Code and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Military Divorce Cases

Every military divorce begins with a determination of whether the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act will delay the proceeding. The Act permits an active-duty servicemember to request a stay of court proceedings if military duties materially affect the ability to participate. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys evaluate the proper application of the Act early in the case, advising clients on when a stay is available and when it may be strategically waived to move the divorce forward.

Once jurisdiction and service are established, the firm addresses the classification and valuation of marital assets, with particular attention to the military pension. Under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act, Virginia courts may treat disposable military retired pay as marital property subject to division if the parties satisfy the ten-year overlap rule — ten years of marriage overlapping ten years of creditable military service — to permit direct payment from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Even when direct payment is not available, the pension may still be divided through other mechanisms. The firm works with forensic accountants and pension evaluators when necessary to calculate the marital share of the pension and to prepare a domestic relations order that the Manassas Circuit Court can approve. Child custody and visitation arrangements are crafted with deployment and relocation schedules in mind, and Virginia’s statutory best-interest factors are applied to the specific circumstances of a military family.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., a firm he established in 1997. He practices across Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and has extensive experience in family law matters, including military divorce. Mr. Sris is a former prosecutor and testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional substantive knowledge in criminal defense, traffic law, and child welfare matters, which can be relevant when a military divorce intersects with other legal issues. Together, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys offer a multi-state perspective that is especially valuable in military families who may have connections to several jurisdictions. Results may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and how does it affect my divorce?

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is a federal law that allows an active-duty servicemember to request a stay of civil court proceedings, including a divorce, if military service materially affects the ability to participate in the case. The stay can last for the period of active duty plus up to 90 days after release, and the court may grant additional stays if the circumstances continue. In Virginia, a spouse filing for divorce against a deployed servicemember must comply with the Act’s requirements. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys understand when a servicemember may invoke the Act and when a non-military spouse can proceed despite it. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

How is a military pension divided in a Virginia divorce?

A military pension is treated as marital property under Virginia law to the extent it was earned during the marriage, and it can be divided by the Manassas Circuit Court through a domestic relations order consistent with the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act. For the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to send payments directly to the former spouse, the marriage must have lasted at least ten years overlapping with ten years of creditable military service. Even without direct payment, the court can award a share of the pension to the non-military spouse through other means. The firm works with pension valuation professionals to calculate the marital portion and draft the necessary orders. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at (888) 437-7747.

Can I file for divorce while my spouse is deployed?

Yes, you can file for divorce while your spouse is deployed, but the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may allow your spouse to request a stay of the proceedings if deployment prevents meaningful participation. The Manassas Circuit Court retains authority over the case, and a spouse who is not in the military can initiate the divorce by filing a Complaint and serving the deployed spouse in accordance with the Act and Virginia procedural rules. The timeline may be extended, but the court can enter temporary orders for child custody, support, and other relief while the stay is in effect. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Where are military divorce cases heard in Manassas?

Military divorce cases are heard in the Manassas Circuit Court, which is located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, Virginia 20110. This court handles all divorce actions, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Any custody, visitation, or child support issues that arise before the divorce is final may be addressed by the Manassas Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The firm’s attorneys appear regularly in both courts and are familiar with local procedure. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.

How does Virginia law handle child custody when a parent is in the military?

Virginia courts decide child custody based on the best interests of the child, considering ten statutory factors listed in Va. Code § 20-124.3, and the court may tailor a parenting plan to accommodate the demands of military service, including deployments and temporary duty assignments. A deployment schedule does not automatically strip a servicemember of custody rights; the court examines each parent’s ability to maintain a relationship with the child and may order virtual visitation, telephone contact, and other measures to preserve the bond during absences. The Manassas courts can also approve temporary custody arrangements that take effect during a deployment and revert afterward. For guidance on your specific situation, reach the firm at (888) 437-7747.

Do I need a lawyer who concentrates in military divorce?

While no law requires a lawyer who concentrates in military divorce, the statutes and procedures that apply to military families are distinct, and an attorney experienced in this area can help you navigate the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, the division of a military pension, and Virginia’s equitable distribution rules. Mr. Sris founded the firm in 1997 and has represented servicemembers and their spouses in the Manassas area for many years. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contribute experience in related legal areas that often intersect with a military divorce. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

For a deeper understanding of the statutes discussed above, you may consult the following official Virginia primary sources:

Last reviewed: July 2026

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder
Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York
Practicing since 1997

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