Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County divorce and family law matters are governed by Virginia statutes, including Va. Code § 20-91 for divorce grounds and Va. Code § 20-107.3 for equitable distribution. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1,789 documented case results in Fairfax County, providing full representation for divorce, custody, support, and property division. Our Fairfax location serves clients by appointment only.
Virginia Family Law Statutes
Virginia is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally under Va. Code § 20-107.3. This statute, personally amended by Mr. Sris, outlines 11 factors the court must consider. No-fault divorce requires a 6-month separation if there are no minor children and a signed agreement, or a 1-year separation if minor children are involved.
Last verified: March 2026 | Fairfax County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Virginia’s family law statutes, visit the Virginia Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (Domestic Relations). The Fairfax County General District Court website provides local forms, filing information, and contact details.
Fairfax County Family Court Process
Fairfax County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders. Virginia requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested divorce hearing.
- Initial Filing: File a Complaint for Divorce with the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. The filing fee is approximately $86.
- Service of Process: Have the complaint served on your spouse by sheriff ($12) or a private process server ($50-$100).
- Response Period: Your spouse has 21 days to file an Answer if served in Virginia, or 60 days if served out-of-state.
- Discovery & Negotiation: Exchange financial documents. Attempt to reach a Property Settlement Agreement to resolve all issues.
- Court Proceedings: Attend pendente lite hearings for temporary orders within 21-60 days of filing a motion. If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial.
- Final Decree: For an uncontested case, attend a brief hearing with a witness. The judge will enter the Final Decree of Divorce.
Fairfax County Divorce & Family Law Penalties and Standards
In Fairfax County, divorce and family law matters follow Virginia’s equitable distribution standard for property and statutory guidelines for child support and spousal support.
| Issue | Legal Standard / Classification | Financial Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (Va. Code § 20-107.3) | Marital property divided fairly based on 11 factors | Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance) excluded |
| Child Support | Virginia Guidelines (Va. Code § 20-108.1) | Calculated from combined gross income, childcare, health insurance costs | Orders are modifiable based on substantial change in circumstances |
| Spousal Support | 13 Statutory Factors (Va. Code § 20-107.1) | Amount and duration determined by need and ability to pay | Can be modifiable or non-modifiable depending on agreement |
| Custody | Best Interests of the Child (Va. Code § 20-124.3) | Considers 10 factors including parental roles and child’s relationships | Parenting plans outline legal and physical custody schedules |
Results may vary. Each case depends on its unique facts and circumstances.
Firm Credentials in Fairfax County Family Law
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. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, providing a deep understanding of property division law applied in Fairfax County Circuit Court.
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 Fairfax County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1,789 total documented case results across all practice areas in Fairfax County, with a 97% favorable outcome rate. These results include divorces resolved through settlement agreements, favorable custody arrangements, and equitable property divisions.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Fairfax County Family Law Office
Our Fairfax location serves clients at the Fairfax County courts. We represent individuals in Fairfax, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Herndon, Reston, McLean, Vienna, Tysons, Oakton, Springfield, Annandale, and the Falls Church area.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
Fairfax Location — 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032
Phone: (703) 636-5417 | Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Fairfax County, Virginia?
An uncontested divorce with a signed separation agreement typically takes 2-4 months from filing to final decree. A contested divorce can take 9-18 months. Complex cases with business valuation or retirement assets may take 12-24 months. Pendente lite hearings for temporary support are usually set within 21-60 days of the motion.
How much does a divorce cost in Fairfax County, Virginia?
The Circuit Court filing fee for a divorce complaint is approximately $86. Additional costs include service of process ($12-$100), pendente lite motion court costs, Guardian ad Litem fees for custody ($500-$2,500+), and mediation ($100-$300 per hour per party). Attorney fees vary based on case complexity.
Is Virginia a community property state?
No. Virginia is an equitable distribution state. Marital property is divided fairly based on 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3, not necessarily 50/50. Separate property, such as assets owned before marriage or received by inheritance, is excluded from division.
How is child custody decided in Fairfax County, Virginia?
Custody is based on the child’s best interests under Va. Code § 20-124.3. The court considers 10 factors, including each parent’s role, the child’s relationship with each parent, and any history of abuse. Fairfax County J&DR Court handles standalone custody cases.
What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia?
No-fault grounds require a 6-month separation (no minor children and a signed agreement) or a 1-year separation. Fault grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for one year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for one year or more.
Related Legal Services
For more information, see our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. We also serve clients in Falls Church and Prince William County. In Fairfax County, we also handle Criminal Defense and DUI/DWI cases. Learn more about Mr. Sris.
Last verified: March 2026. Information updated as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.