Postnuptial Agreement Lawyer Manassas, VA

Couples in Manassas, Virginia, sometimes decide to clarify their financial rights and responsibilities after they are already married. A postnuptial agreement is a written contract signed by both spouses that addresses property division, spousal support, and other financial matters in the event of separation, divorce, or death. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., practicing since 1997, represents clients in Manassas and throughout Prince William County who need experienced counsel for drafting, reviewing, or enforcing postnuptial agreements. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team appear in the Manassas Circuit Court and the Manassas Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, where matters involving these agreements are often adjudicated. For a consultation about your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

What Postnuptial Agreements Mean in Manassas, Virginia

In Manassas, as across Virginia, postnuptial agreements are governed by the Premarital Agreement Act, codified at Va. Code § 20‑147 et seq. Although the statute’s title refers to premarital agreements, it also authorizes agreements made during marriage. A postnuptial agreement allows spouses to define their own property and support terms, within certain public‑policy limits, rather than leaving those decisions entirely to a court’s equitable‑distribution authority under Va. Code § 20‑107.3. For couples living in the City of Manassas or nearby Manassas Park, an enforceable postnuptial agreement can reduce conflict and uncertainty if the marriage later ends.

When an agreement is challenged, the matter typically proceeds in the Manassas Circuit Court, located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, Virginia 20110. The same court also handles divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support cases, so a postnuptial agreement often becomes the central framework that the court must interpret. Our Fairfax Location regularly serves clients at the Manassas courts, and Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are familiar with the procedural expectations of the Thirty‑first Judicial District. Whether a couple needs a straightforward agreement to protect a family business or a more complex agreement addressing international assets, we work to tailor the document to their objectives.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Postnuptial Agreement Cases

Because a postnuptial agreement affects important property and support rights, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach each matter with careful attention to the client’s financial picture and long‑term goals. The process often begins with a detailed discussion of the spouses’ separate and marital property, their incomes and earning capacities, and any future inheritances or business interests. From there, we draft or review the agreement to ensure it satisfies Virginia’s formal requirements: the agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties, and it is generally enforceable without consideration. We also advise clients on the financial disclosures that are necessary to reduce the risk of a later claim that the agreement was entered into involuntarily or without adequate knowledge.

If a dispute arises over an existing agreement, the team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients in enforcement and defense proceedings in the Manassas courts. We examine whether the agreement was executed voluntarily, whether both parties made fair and reasonable disclosure of their assets and obligations, and whether enforcing the agreement would be unconscionable. Because Mr. Sris has experience with equitable‑distribution litigation and testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635, the firm understands both the contractual and the equitable dimensions that can surface when a postnuptial agreement is contested.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced family law in Virginia since 1997. His legislative experience includes testimony in support of 2019 HB 635, which revised a subsection of Virginia’s equitable‑distribution statute. Mr. Sris is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and he brings a multi‑state perspective to family law matters that involve assets or parties in multiple jurisdictions. He works closely with a team of Of Counsel attorneys who collectively offer extensive combined legal experience in drafting and litigating marital agreements. The Of Counsel attorneys are engages through Excella and assist with case preparation, legal research, and court appearances as needed. Results may vary.

When you work with the firm, you are not hiring a single attorney but gaining access to a collaborative team that can address the full range of issues that a postnuptial agreement may touch—property valuation, business interests, retirement accounts, and support obligations. Our approach is to provide clear, straightforward advice so that you can make informed decisions about your financial future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a postnuptial agreement in Virginia?

A postnuptial agreement is a written contract entered into by spouses after their marriage that governs the division of property and spousal support in the event of divorce or death. Under Virginia’s Premarital Agreement Act (Va. Code § 20‑147 et seq.), such agreements are generally enforceable if they are entered into voluntarily and with fair financial disclosure. The agreement can modify or waive rights that would otherwise be determined under Virginia’s equitable‑distribution statute, Va. Code § 20‑107.3. It cannot limit child support or custody, however, as those matters are determined by the court based on the child’s best interests. To discuss whether a postnuptial agreement fits your situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Do I need a lawyer for a postnuptial agreement in Manassas?

Virginia law does not require you to hire a lawyer to create a postnuptial agreement, but having experienced counsel helps ensure the agreement is enforceable and meets your objectives. A lawyer can explain the legal effect of the terms you are considering, identify assets that may be classified as separate versus marital, and draft the agreement in a way that reduces the risk of a successful challenge later. If one spouse attempts to set aside the agreement, a lawyer can also represent you in the Manassas Circuit Court. For guidance specific to your circumstances, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

How is a postnuptial agreement enforced in Manassas, Virginia?

If one spouse breaches a postnuptial agreement, the other spouse may file a lawsuit in the Manassas Circuit Court to enforce its terms. The court will determine whether the agreement is valid under the Premarital Agreement Act—looking at factors such as voluntariness, disclosure, and unconscionability—and, if so, will enforce it according to its plain language. Common enforcement scenarios include disputes over the division of property, payment of spousal support, or the treatment of a business interest. Because these cases often arise in the context of a divorce filing, the enforcement action may be consolidated with the divorce proceeding. To discuss how we can help, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.

What can a postnuptial agreement cover?

A postnuptial agreement can address the disposition of property, the right to spousal support, the ownership of a business, the handling of debts, and the distribution of retirement accounts, among other financial matters. Under Va. Code § 20‑150, parties may contract with respect to rights in property, the modification or elimination of spousal support, and the disposition of life insurance proceeds, provided the terms do not violate public policy or criminal statutes. They cannot decide child custody or child support issues, as those remain subject to the court’s independent determination. If you have questions about whether a particular asset or arrangement can be included, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Can a postnuptial agreement be challenged in Virginia?

Yes, a postnuptial agreement can be challenged on grounds that it was not entered into voluntarily, was based on incomplete or inaccurate financial disclosure, or is unconscionable. Under Va. Code § 20‑151, the agreement is not enforceable if the party seeking to avoid it proves that he or she did not execute it voluntarily, or if the agreement was unconscionable when executed and the challenging party was not provided a fair and reasonable disclosure of the other party’s financial circumstances. A successful challenge can result in the court disregarding all or part of the agreement and applying Virginia’s equitable‑distribution statute instead. For representation in such a challenge, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

How long do I have to challenge a postnuptial agreement in Virginia?

A lawsuit challenging a written postnuptial agreement on contractual grounds must generally be filed within five years of the breach or of when the grounds for challenge were discovered. The applicable statute of limitations for a written contract in Virginia is five years under Va. Code § 8.01‑246(2). If the challenge is framed as a fraud claim, a two‑year limitations period may apply, running from when the fraud was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Because limitation periods can vary depending on the legal theory, it is important to seek legal advice promptly if you believe an agreement is invalid.

For guidance on your specific situation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.

For more information on family law matters in the region, see our pages on Fairfax County family law, Prince William County family law, and Manassas Park family law.

Primary sources: Virginia Premarital Agreement Act, Va. Code § 20‑147 et seq. · Manassas Circuit Court

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

Last reviewed: July 2026

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.