In Prince William County, Virginia divorce is governed by Va. Code § 20-91 and equitable distribution under § 20-107.3. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 297 documented case results in Prince William County. A High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer Prince William County can help protect your assets and future. Contact us today.
Last verified: April 2026 | Prince William County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Statutory Definition of Divorce and Family Law in Prince William County
Virginia is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily 50/50. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, the court considers 11 factors to determine a fair division. Mr. Sris personally amended this statute, a unique achievement in Virginia family law. For no-fault divorce, Virginia requires a 6-month separation if there are no minor children and a signed separation agreement, or a 1-year separation if there are minor children. Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion for 1 year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for 1+ year. A High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer Prince William County understands these complex statutes and how they apply to your case.
External Citation Links
For the official Virginia statutes governing divorce and family law, visit the Virginia General Assembly code for Title 20. For court information, visit the Prince William County General District Court website.
- File the Complaint: Your attorney files a divorce complaint at Prince William County Circuit Court (9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110). The filing fee is approximately $86.
- Serve Your Spouse: Your spouse must be served with the complaint. Sheriff service costs about $12; private process server costs $50-$100.
- Respond and Negotiate: Your spouse has 21 days to respond. Your attorney negotiates a property settlement agreement covering asset division, support, and custody.
- Attend Pendente Lite Hearing: If temporary support or custody is needed, a pendente lite hearing is typically set within 21-60 days of the motion.
- Final Hearing: For uncontested divorce with a signed agreement, the final hearing occurs 2-4 months after filing. Contested cases take 9-18 months.
In Prince William County, Virginia divorce carries a timeline of 2-4 months for uncontested cases and 9-18 months for contested cases, with filing fees starting at $86.
| Issue | Classification | Timeline | Cost | Additional Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | No-fault | 2-4 months | $86 filing fee + service costs | Requires signed separation agreement |
| Contested Divorce | Fault or No-fault | 9-18 months | $86 filing fee + attorney fees + potential experienced costs | May require Guardian ad Litem ($500-$2,500+) |
| Complex Equitable Distribution | High Net Worth | 12-24 months | $86 filing fee + forensic accounting ($5,000-$20,000+) | Business valuation, retirement assets, stock options |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Case Results in Prince William County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 297 total documented case results across all practice areas in Prince William County, with a 97% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Fairfax Location
4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Prince William County
How long does a divorce take in Prince William County, Virginia?
It depends. Uncontested divorce with a signed separation agreement takes 2-4 months from filing to final decree. Contested divorce takes 9-18 months. Complex equitable distribution with business valuation or retirement assets takes 12-24 months. 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 Prince William County, Virginia?
It depends. Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint is approximately $86. Sheriff service of process costs approximately $12; private process server costs $50-$100. Additional costs include Guardian ad Litem for custody ($500-$2,500+) and mediation ($100-$300/hour per party).
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). Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Prince William County, Virginia?
It depends. Custody 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. Prince William County J&DR Court handles standalone custody; 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 Prince William County Circuit Court.
Our Prince William County Location
Our Fairfax location is approximately 15 miles from Prince William County Circuit Court, accessible via I-66 and Route 28. We serve clients throughout Prince William County including Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan. A complex asset divorce lawyer Prince William County can help with business valuation, stock options, and retirement asset division.
For more information, visit our Virginia Family Law hub page. See also Fairfax County Divorce Lawyer and Prince William County Criminal Defense Lawyer.
Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.