If you are seeking a Fault Based Divorce Lawyer King George County, Virginia law under Va. Code § 20-91 allows divorce on fault grounds including adultery, cruelty, desertion for one year, or felony conviction with one year of imprisonment. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 8 documented results in King George County with an 88% favorable outcome rate. Mr.
Fault Based Divorce Lawyer in King George County, Virginia
Virginia law provides for fault based divorce under Va. Code § 20-91. This statute establishes the grounds upon which a spouse may seek a divorce based on the other spouse’s misconduct. The recognized fault grounds for divorce in Virginia include adultery (with no waiting period), cruelty and reasonable apprehension of bodily harm, desertion for a period of one year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for one year or more. Unlike no-fault divorce, which requires a separation period of six months (with no minor children and a signed agreement) or one year (with minor children), fault based divorce allows you to file immediately upon proving the ground. The court at King George County Circuit Court, located at 10446 Government Center Blvd, Ste 105, King George, VA 22485, handles all divorce and equitable distribution matters. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., ‘Advocacy Without Borders,’ brings 120+ years combined legal experience to every case.
Last verified: April 2026 | King George County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly — official site
For the full text of the divorce statute, see Va. Code § 20-91 (Virginia General Assembly — official site). For the equitable distribution statute personally amended by Mr. Sris, see Va. Code § 20-107.3 (Virginia General Assembly — official site).
In King George County Circuit Court, judges routinely scrutinize fault-based divorce claims for corroborating evidence. We have observed that the court requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested divorce hearing, and for fault grounds, independent evidence beyond the spouse’s testimony is essential.
- Gather all evidence supporting the fault ground, including emails, text messages, financial records, or witness statements.
- File a complaint for divorce at King George County Circuit Court, specifying the fault ground under Va. Code § 20-91.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse through sheriff service or a private process server.
- Attend the pendente lite hearing for temporary support and custody, typically set within 21-60 days of filing.
- Proceed to trial or settlement conference to prove the fault ground and resolve property division, custody, and support.
- Obtain the final divorce decree from King George County Circuit Court.
In King George County, a fault based divorce under Va. Code § 20-91 can result in significant financial and legal consequences, including the division of marital assets, spousal support obligations, and custody determinations.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery (Va. Code § 20-91(1)) | Fault Ground for Divorce | None | None | None | May affect spousal support, property division, and custody |
| Cruelty (Va. Code § 20-91(6)) | Fault Ground for Divorce | None | None | None | May affect spousal support, property division, and custody |
| Desertion (Va. Code § 20-91(2)) | Fault Ground for Divorce | None | None | None | May affect spousal support, property division, and custody |
| Felony Conviction (Va. Code § 20-91(3)) | Fault Ground for Divorce | None | None | None | May affect spousal support, property division, and custody |
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%. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders — has handled 8 documented results in King George County, with an 88% favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the statute that governs equitable distribution in every Virginia divorce.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 8 documented results in King George County: 0 dismissed or not guilty, 8 reduced or amended — a favorable-outcome rate of 88% across all practice areas. Results may vary. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ documented results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ.
Our location in Fairfax is approximately 45 miles from King George County Circuit Court, with access via Route 3 and Route 301. We serve as a fault based divorce lawyer near King George County. Serving the communities of King George and Dahlgren. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032
(703) 636-5417 | (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fault Based Divorce in King George County
How long does a divorce take in King George County, Virginia?
It depends. Uncontested divorces in Virginia typically resolve in 2-6 months after filing at King George County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court (custody/support/protective orders) and King George 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 divorces resolve in 2-6 months; contested divorces take 9-18 months in King George County.
How much does a divorce cost in King George County, Virginia?
The Circuit Court filing fee for a divorce complaint is approximately $86; sheriff service of process is approximately $12; private process server costs $50-$100; pendente lite motion incurs additional court costs; Guardian ad Litem for custody typically costs $500-$2,500+; mediation costs $100-$300/hour per party. Cases are filed at King George County General District Court.
Filing fee is approximately $86, with additional costs for service, Guardian ad Litem, and mediation.
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). King George County Circuit Court handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
No, Virginia is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state.
How is child custody decided in King George County, Virginia?
Custody in King George 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. King George County J&DR Court handles standalone custody. King George 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: 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 King George County Circuit Court.
Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion for 1 year, and felony conviction with 1+ year imprisonment.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against fault based divorce charges?
Defense strategies for fault based 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 (grounds for divorce) to build the strongest possible defense.
Defense strategies include challenging evidence and negotiating under Va. Code § 20-91.
What should I do if I am facing fault based divorce charges in Virginia?
If facing fault based 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 relevant documents.
For more information about family law 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 Arlington County, Licensing Lawyer King George County, and Business Dissolution Lawyer King George County.
Last verified: April 2026. This page was generated on 2026-04-29.