Divorce in Arlington County, Virginia, is governed by Va. Code § 20-91, which provides for no-fault divorce after a 6-month separation (with a signed agreement and no minor children) or a 1-year separation, as well as fault grounds such as adultery, cruelty, desertion, and felony conviction. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
Divorce Lawyer Arlington County, Virginia
Virginia law provides several pathways to divorce under Va. Code § 20-91. A no-fault divorce requires a separation period of 6 months if the parties have a signed separation agreement and no minor children, or 1 year if minor children are involved. Fault-based grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for 1 year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for 1 year or more. The court must find that at least one spouse has resided in Virginia for 6 months prior to filing. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” brings 120+ years combined legal experience to clients seeking a dissolution of marriage lawyer Arlington County residents trust.
Last verified: May 2026 | Arlington County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly — official site
For the full text of Virginia’s divorce statutes, see Va. Code § 20-91 (Virginia General Assembly — official site). For equitable distribution guidelines, see Va. Code § 20-107.3 (Virginia General Assembly — official site).
In Arlington County Circuit Court, prosecutors and family court judges routinely expect parties to have attempted mediation before scheduling a contested hearing. We have observed that cases with a signed property settlement agreement move through the docket significantly faster than those without one.
- File a complaint for divorce at Arlington County Circuit Court, 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse via sheriff or private process server.
- Attend a pendente lite hearing if temporary support or custody is needed (typically set within 21-60 days).
- Participate in mediation to resolve disputes over property, custody, or support.
- Submit a signed separation agreement if all issues are resolved.
- Attend the final hearing to obtain the final divorce decree.
In Arlington County, divorce proceedings carry no criminal penalties, but financial consequences include filing fees, service costs, and potential spousal or child support obligations.
| Issue | Classification | Financial Impact | Timeline | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No-fault divorce (6-month separation) | Civil | Filing fee: ~$86; service: $12-$100 | 2-4 months after filing | None beyond court costs |
| Contested divorce | Civil | Legal fees, mediation ($100-$300/hr), Guardian ad Litem ($500-$2,500+) | 9-18 months | Potential spousal support, child support, property division |
| Fault-based divorce (adultery) | Civil | Same as contested; potential attorney fees | Variable | May affect spousal support and property division |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the statute that governs equitable distribution in every Virginia divorce. The firm’s Arlington County location at 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room 719, Arlington, VA 22209, provides convenient access for clients throughout the county.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented results in Arlington County: 22 dismissed or not guilty, 93 reduced or amended — a favorable-outcome rate of 100% in all reported instances. Results may vary. Firm-wide, SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ.
Our location in Arlington is approximately 0.5 miles from Arlington County Circuit Court, with access via I-66 and US-29. We serve as a divorce lawyer near Arlington County for clients throughout the region. Serving the communities of Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Arlington Location: 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room 719, Arlington, VA 22209 | (703) 589-9250 | By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Arlington County
How long does a divorce take in Arlington County, Virginia?
It depends. Uncontested divorces in Virginia typically resolve in 2-6 months after filing at Arlington County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court (custody/support/protective orders) and Arlington County Circuit Court (divorce/equitable distribution), depending on mandatory separation periods and court calendar. Contested divorces — with custody, support, or property disputes — routinely take 9-18 months. Uncontested divorce with signed separation agreement: 2-4 months from filing to final decree; contested divorce: 9-18 months; complex equitable distribution cases can extend longer. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles complex and high-net-worth matters — consultation by appointment at (888) 437-7747.
Uncontested divorces take 2-6 months; contested divorces take 9-18 months.
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. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3). Cases filed at Arlington County General District Court.
Filing fee is approximately $86, with additional costs for service, mediation, and Guardian ad Litem.
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 (1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400, Arlington, VA 22201) handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
No, Virginia is an equitable distribution state.
How is child custody decided in Arlington County, Virginia?
Custody in Arlington County is based on the experienced 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. 115 total documented case results across all practice areas (favorable outcome in all reported instances).
Custody is decided based on the experienced interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3.
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. 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.
No-fault grounds require 6-month or 1-year separation; fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion, and felony conviction.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against adultery divorce charges?
Defense strategies for adultery divorce in Virginia may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under Va. Code § 20-91(1) (adultery as fault ground — no waiting period) to build the strongest possible defense.
Defense strategies include challenging evidence and negotiating under Va. Code § 20-91(1).
What should I do if I am facing adultery divorce charges in Virginia?
If facing adultery divorce charges in Virginia, contact a family law attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer. Preserve all relevant documents and evidence. The statute of limitations and court deadlines under Virginia law require prompt action.
Contact a family law attorney immediately and preserve all evidence.
For more information on family law matters in Virginia, visit our Norfolk Military Divorce Lawyer Virginia hub page. You may also find these related pages useful: Family Law Lawyer Albemarle County, Family Law Lawyer Augusta County, Civil Litigation Lawyer Arlington County, and DUI Lawyer Arlington County.
Last verified: May 2026 | Arlington County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly