Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Fairfax County, Virginia
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides experienced family law representation in Fairfax County, Virginia, handling divorce, custody, and support matters under Va. Code § 20-107.3. The firm has 1789 documented case results in Fairfax County with a 97% favorable outcome rate. Virginia requires a 6-month or 1-year separation for no-fault divorce, and fault grounds like adultery have no waiting period.
In Fairfax County, family law cases are heard at the Fairfax County Circuit Court for divorce and equitable distribution, and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for standalone custody and support issues.
Virginia Family Law Statutes
Virginia family law is governed by specific statutes. Va. Code § 20-91 establishes the grounds for divorce, including no-fault separation periods and fault-based grounds like adultery and cruelty. Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute personally amended by Mr. Sris, governs the division of marital property based on 11 fairness factors, not a simple 50/50 split. Child custody is determined under Va. Code § 20-124.3 based on the child’s best interests, while child support follows the guidelines in Va. Code § 20-108.1.
Last verified: March 2026 | Fairfax County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Virginia’s family law statutes, visit the Va. Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (official Virginia General Assembly). For Fairfax County court information, procedures, and forms, refer to the Fairfax County General District Court website.
Fairfax County Family Court Process
Fairfax County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters at 4110 Chain Bridge Road. The 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.
- File the Complaint: Submit the divorce or custody petition to the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office with the $86 filing fee.
- Serve the Other Party: Have the papers served by the sheriff ($12) or a private process server ($50-$100).
- Complete Discovery: Exchange mandatory financial disclosures and other evidence. Consider mediation to settle.
- Attend Hearings: Go to pendente lite hearings for temporary orders, typically within 21-60 days of filing a motion.
- Final Resolution: Either finalize an uncontested divorce with a witness or proceed to trial for contested issues.
Family Law Standards and Potential Outcomes
In Fairfax County, family law follows equitable distribution for property and the child’s best interests for custody, with outcomes varying based on the specific facts of each case.
| Issue | Legal Standard | Potential Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Property Division | Equitable Distribution (Va. Code § 20-107.3) | Fair, not equal, division of marital assets and debts based on 11 factors. |
| Child Custody | Best Interests of the Child (Va. Code § 20-124.3) | Legal and physical custody arrangements based on 10 statutory factors. |
| Child Support | Virginia Guidelines (Va. Code § 20-108.1) | Monthly payment based on combined gross income and number of children. |
| Spousal Support | 13 Statutory Factors (Va. Code § 20-107.1) | Temporary or permanent support based on need and ability to pay. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Firm Credentials and Local Insight
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to family law cases. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, providing unique insight into property division. The firm’s global advocacy and local precision approach is backed by 1789 documented case results in Fairfax County.
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
Case Results in Fairfax County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1789 total documented case results across all practice areas in Fairfax County, maintaining a 97% favorable outcome rate for clients. These results include successful resolutions in complex divorce, custody disputes, and support modifications.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Local Family Law Representation
Our Fairfax location serves clients at the Fairfax County courts. As a family law lawyer near Fairfax County, we represent individuals in Fairfax, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Herndon, Reston, McLean, Vienna, Tysons, Oakton, Springfield, Annandale, and the Falls Church area.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
4008 Williamsburg Court
Fairfax, VA 22032
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Fairfax County, Virginia?
Uncontested divorce with a signed separation agreement takes 2-4 months from filing to final decree. A contested divorce typically takes 9-18 months. Complex cases with business valuation can take 12-24 months. Pendente lite hearings for temporary orders are usually set within 21-60 days of the motion.
How much does a divorce cost in Fairfax County, Virginia?
The Circuit Court filing fee is about $86. Service of process costs $12 for the sheriff or $50-$100 for a private server. Additional costs include pendente lite motion fees, Guardian ad Litem for custody ($500-$2,500+), and mediation ($100-$300 per hour per party).
Is Virginia a community property state?
No. Virginia is an equitable distribution state. Marital property is divided fairly based on 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3, not necessarily 50/50. Separate property, like pre-marriage assets or inheritances, is excluded from division.
How is child custody decided in Fairfax County, Virginia?
Custody is based on the child’s best interests under Va. Code § 20-124.3, considering 10 factors including each parent’s role and the child’s relationships. Standalone custody cases go to J&DR Court; custody within a divorce is handled by Circuit Court.
What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia?
No-fault grounds require a 6-month separation (no minor children with an agreement) or a 1-year separation. Fault grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for one year, or a felony conviction with one year or more of imprisonment.
Related Legal Resources
For more information, see our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. We also serve clients in Fairfax City and Falls Church. If you need other legal services, consider our Fairfax County Criminal Defense Lawyer or Fairfax County DUI/DWI Lawyer. Learn more about our attorneys.
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.