In Prince William County, Virginia, divorce is governed by Va. Code § 20-91 (grounds) and § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution, personally amended by Mr. Sris). Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 289 documented results in Prince William County, including 163 dismissals and 108 reductions — a 97% favorable outcome rate. The Circuit Court filing fee for a divorce complaint is approximately $86.
Divorce Lawyer Prince William County, Virginia
Under Virginia law, divorce is governed by Va. Code § 20-91, which establishes both no-fault and fault grounds for dissolution of marriage. No-fault divorce requires a separation period of 6 months (if no minor children and a signed property settlement agreement exists) or 1 year (if minor children are involved). Fault grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for 1 year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for 1+ year. Equitable distribution of marital property is governed by Va. Code § 20-107.3, which Mr. Sris personally amended. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Advocacy Without Borders, brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
Last verified: May 2026 | Prince William 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) and Va. Code § 20-107.3 (Virginia General Assembly — official site).
In Prince William County Circuit Court, the court routinely requires a corroborating witness for uncontested divorce hearings — even when both parties agree on all terms. This is a procedural requirement that many self-represented litigants overlook.
- File a complaint for divorce at Prince William County Circuit Court, 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110.
- Pay the filing fee (approximately $86) and serve the other spouse via sheriff ($12) or private process server ($50-$100).
- If uncontested, both parties sign a property settlement agreement resolving all issues (property, support, custody).
- Attend a final hearing with a corroborating witness to testify to the grounds.
- The court enters a final decree of divorce, which becomes effective immediately.
- File any post-decree motions (e.g., name change, QDRO for retirement assets) within the applicable deadlines.
In Prince William County, Virginia, divorce is a civil proceeding — there are no criminal penalties. However, failure to comply with court orders (e.g., child support, spousal support, property division) can result in contempt of court, which carries potential jail time and fines.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contempt of Court (failure to pay support) | Civil or Criminal Contempt | Up to 12 months (criminal contempt) | Up to $2,500 | Driver’s license suspension possible | Wage garnishment, property liens, credit damage |
| Violation of Protective Order | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Mandatory counseling, firearm restrictions |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. 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 has 289 documented case results in Prince William County: 163 dismissed or not guilty, 108 reduced or amended, 8 deferred — a 97% favorable outcome rate. Results may vary.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 289 documented results in Prince William County: 163 dismissed or not guilty, 108 reduced or amended — a favorable-outcome rate of 97%. Results may vary.
Our location in Fairfax is approximately 12 miles from Prince William County Circuit Court, with access via I-66 and Route 28. Serving the communities of Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Fairfax
4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032
(703) 636-5417 | (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Prince William County
How long does a divorce take in Prince William County, Virginia?
It depends. Uncontested divorces with a signed separation agreement typically resolve in 2-4 months from filing to final decree at Prince William County Circuit Court. Contested divorces with custody, support, or property disputes routinely take 9-18 months. Complex equitable distribution cases involving business valuation or retirement assets can extend to 12-24 months. The mandatory separation period under Va. Code § 20-91 is 6 months (no minor children) or 1 year (with minor children).
Uncontested divorces in Prince William County take 2-4 months; contested divorces take 9-18 months.
How much does a divorce cost in Prince William County, Virginia?
The Circuit Court filing fee for a divorce complaint at Prince William County Circuit Court is approximately $86. Additional costs include sheriff service of process ($12), private process server ($50-$100), Guardian ad Litem for custody ($500-$2,500+), and mediation ($100-$300/hour per party). Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3).
The filing fee is approximately $86; total costs vary from $200 to $3,000+ depending on complexity.
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). Prince William County Circuit Court handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded from division.
No, Virginia is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state.
How is child custody decided in Prince William County, Virginia?
Custody in Prince William 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. Prince William County J&DR Court handles standalone custody; Prince William County Circuit Court handles custody within divorce cases.
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 grounds: 6-month separation (no minor children + signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children). Fault grounds: adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for 1 year, felony conviction with imprisonment for 1+ year. All divorces are filed at Prince William County Circuit Court under Va. Code § 20-91.
No-fault: 6-month or 1-year separation. Fault: adultery, cruelty, desertion, or 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.
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.
For more information about divorce and family law in Virginia, visit our Norfolk Military Divorce Lawyer Virginia hub page. You may also find these pages useful: Family Law Lawyer Albemarle County, Family Law Lawyer Arlington County, and Defamation Lawyer Prince William County.
Last verified: May 2026. This page was last updated on 2026-05-01.