Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County divorce is governed by Virginia’s equitable distribution system under Va. Code § 20-107.3, which Mr. Sris personally amended; Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented case results in Arlington County with a 100% favorable outcome rate. We provide full representation for divorce, child custody, support, and complex property division. Our Arlington location serves clients by appointment only.
Virginia Family Law Statutes for Arlington County
Virginia family law operates under specific statutes that determine divorce grounds, property division, and child-related matters. Arlington County cases are heard in the Arlington County Circuit Court for divorce and equitable distribution, and the Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for standalone custody and support issues.
Virginia requires a 6-month separation period for no-fault divorce when there are no minor children and a signed separation agreement exists. When minor children are involved, the separation period extends to one year. Fault grounds include adultery (with no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for one year, or felony conviction with imprisonment for one year or more.
Last verified: March 2026 | Arlington County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Virginia Family Law Resources
For the complete text of Virginia’s family law statutes, refer to the Va. Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (Divorce) on the official Virginia General Assembly website. For Arlington County court procedures and forms, visit the Arlington County General District Court website.
Arlington County Family Law Court Procedures
Arlington County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400. The Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders.
- File the initial complaint: File a divorce complaint with the Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. The filing fee is approximately $86. You must meet Virginia’s residency requirement: at least one spouse must have been a Virginia resident for six months before filing.
- Serve the other party: Serve the complaint and summons on your spouse. This can be done by sheriff (approximately $12) or private process server ($50-$100). Proof of service must be filed with the court.
- Attend pendente lite hearing (if needed): If temporary support or custody orders are needed, file a pendente lite motion. The court typically schedules a hearing within 21-60 days. Bring financial documentation to support your requests.
- Complete discovery and mediation: Exchange financial documents and other evidence through discovery. The court may refer you to mediation ($100-$300/hour per party) to try to reach agreement on property division, custody, and support.
- Attend final hearing or trial: If settlement is reached, submit a property settlement agreement for court approval. If not, proceed to trial where the judge will decide all contested issues based on Virginia law and evidence presented.
Arlington County Family Law Penalties and Costs
In Arlington County, family law matters involve court costs rather than penalties, with divorce filing fees starting at approximately $86 and additional costs for service, motions, and potential Guardian ad Litem appointments for custody cases.
| Proceeding | Court | Filing Fee | Additional Costs | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce Complaint | Arlington Circuit Court | ~$86 | Service: $12-$100 | 2-4 months (uncontested) |
| Pendente Lite Motion | Arlington Circuit Court | Additional court costs | Varies | Hearing in 21-60 days |
| Custody Petition | Arlington J&DR Court | ~$86 | Guardian ad Litem: $500-$2,500+ | 3-6 months |
| Child Support Establishment | Arlington J&DR Court | ~$86 | Income verification costs | 2-4 months |
| Mediation | Court-referred | N/A | $100-$300/hour per party | Varies by complexity |
Results may vary based on individual case circumstances.
Virginia Family Law Experience
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, who personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3). With over 120 years of combined attorney experience and 4,739+ firm-wide case results, we bring substantial knowledge to Arlington County family law matters. Our tagline reflects our approach: “Global advocacy. Local precision.”
Samantha Rae Powers, Associate Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA, FL. Experienced family law and civil litigator. View Samantha Rae Powers’s Profile
Arlington County Family Law Case Results
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 total documented case results across all practice areas in Arlington County with a 100% favorable outcome rate. These results include divorces with complex property division, child custody arrangements, and support modifications handled in Arlington County Circuit Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Results may vary based on individual case circumstances.
Arlington County Family Law Office
Our Arlington location at 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719, Arlington, VA 22209 serves clients at Arlington County courts. We represent clients throughout Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington. As a family law lawyer near Arlington County Courthouse, we provide convenient access for court appearances and meetings.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250
By appointment only
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Arlington County, Virginia?
Uncontested divorce with signed separation agreement: 2-4 months from filing to final decree; contested divorce: 9-18 months; complex equitable distribution with business valuation or retirement assets: 12-24 months; pendente lite hearing for temporary support and custody: typically set within 21-60 days of motion. 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 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. Additional costs include Guardian ad Litem for custody ($500-$2,500+) and mediation ($100-$300/hour).
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.
How is child custody decided in Arlington County, Virginia?
Custody in Arlington County 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. Arlington County J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Arlington County 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 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.
Related Legal Services
For more information about family law throughout Virginia, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. If you’re in a neighboring jurisdiction, consider our Alexandria City Divorce & Family Lawyer services. For other legal needs in Arlington County, we also provide Criminal Defense and DUI/DWI Defense representation. Learn more about your attorney on our Attorney Profiles page.
Last verified: March 2026. Information current as of verification date. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.