Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach divorce is governed by Virginia’s equitable distribution laws under Va. Code § 20-107.3, requiring either 6-month or 1-year separation for no-fault grounds. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 8 documented family law results in Virginia Beach, with Mr. Sris personally amending the equitable distribution statute. Our Richmond location serves Virginia Beach clients facing divorce, custody, and support matters.
Virginia Beach Family Law Statutes and Definitions
Virginia family law operates under an equitable distribution system where marital property is divided fairly based on 11 statutory factors, not necessarily 50/50. The primary statutes governing divorce in Virginia Beach include Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds), § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution), § 20-108.1 (child support guidelines), and § 20-124.2 (custody best interests). Mr. Sris, former prosecutor and founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 1997, personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, giving our firm unique insight into Virginia’s property division laws.
Last verified: March 2026 | Virginia Beach General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Virginia Family Law Resources
For the most current Virginia family law statutes, consult the Virginia Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (official Virginia General Assembly website). The Virginia Beach General District Court website provides local forms, filing information, and court procedures for family law matters in Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach Family Court Procedures
Virginia Beach Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters at 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Bldg 10B. Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders. Virginia requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested divorce hearing.
- Schedule consultation with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. to assess your family law matter and develop strategy.
- File divorce complaint or appropriate petition at Virginia Beach Circuit Court with required filing fees.
- Serve the other party through sheriff, private process server, or acceptance of service.
- Attend pendente lite hearings for temporary support and custody arrangements.
- Engage in settlement negotiations or mediation; prepare for trial if no agreement reached.
- Obtain final divorce decree and ensure compliance with property division, support, and custody terms.
Virginia Beach Divorce Penalties and Consequences
In Virginia Beach, divorce carries specific legal standards: no-fault divorce after 6-month separation (no minor children) or 1-year separation (with minor children); fault grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for 1 year, or felony conviction with imprisonment for 1+ year.
| Offense | Classification | Financial Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce Filing | Civil Action | Filing fee: ~$86 + service costs | Property division, support orders |
| Child Support Non-Payment | Contempt of Court | Wage garnishment, liens, fines | License suspension, jail time |
| Custody Violation | Contempt of Court | Legal fees, fines | Modified custody arrangement |
| Property Settlement Breach | Contract Enforcement | Damages, legal fees | Court enforcement of agreement |
Results may vary based on individual case circumstances and court decisions.
Virginia Beach Family Law Experience
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, who brings background in accounting and information systems to complex financial divorce cases. Our firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3), providing unique insight into property division matters.
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
Virginia Beach Family Law Case Results
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 8 documented case results in Virginia Beach across all practice areas with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Our firm-wide experience includes 4,739+ documented results across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate.
Results may vary based on individual case circumstances and court decisions.
Virginia Beach Family Law Office
Our Richmond location serves clients at Virginia Beach courts (2425 Nimmo Parkway), accessible via I-264, I-64, Route 44, Route 58, and Route 13. We provide family law lawyer services near Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Town Center, Naval Air Station Oceana, and the Virginia Aquarium.
We serve Virginia Beach, Sandbridge, and Oceana communities. Contact us for 24/7 phone consultations at (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
7400 Beaufont Springs Dr, Suite 300, Rm 395
Richmond, VA 23225
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach, 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 and mediation services.
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 from division.
How is child custody decided in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
Custody in Virginia Beach 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. Virginia Beach J&DR Court handles standalone custody cases, while Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach Circuit Court with applicable filing fees and service costs.
Related Virginia Legal Resources
For more information about Virginia family law, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. We also serve clients in nearby localities including Henrico County family law and Chesterfield County family law. In Virginia Beach, we handle other legal matters including criminal defense and DUI/DWI defense. Learn more about our attorneys’ experience.
Last verified: March 2026. Information updated as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.