Lexington family law cases under Va. Code § 20-91 require a 6-month or 1-year separation before filing no-fault divorce. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 14 documented case results in Lexington. Mr. Sris personally amended the equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3.
Last verified: April 2026 | Lexington General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia family law operates under equitable distribution principles, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The primary statutes governing divorce in Lexington include Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds), Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution — personally amended by Mr. Sris), and Va. Code § 20-124.2 (custody best interests). Lexington Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Lexington 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. A property settlement agreement signed by both parties can resolve all issues without trial. Mediation is available but not mandatory in Virginia. Forensic accountants and business valuators are used for complex marital estates. The Circuit Court at 2 South Main Street, Lexington, VA 24450 handles Lexington family law matters.
For official statute information, refer to Virginia Code Title 20 (Domestic Relations) and the Lexington General District Court website for local court procedures.
In Lexington Circuit Court, uncontested divorces with signed separation agreements typically proceed faster than contested cases. The court requires a corroborating witness for all uncontested hearings. A property settlement agreement can resolve all issues without trial. Mediation is available but not mandatory. Forensic accountants are used for complex marital estates.
- File a complaint for divorce at Lexington Circuit Court (2 South Main Street).
- Serve the complaint on your spouse through sheriff or private process server.
- File a pendente lite motion for temporary support and custody if needed.
- Attend mediation or negotiate a property settlement agreement.
- Present the agreement or proceed to trial for contested issues.
- Obtain final decree of divorce from the court.
In Lexington, Virginia family law cases involve equitable distribution of marital property, child support calculated under Virginia guidelines, and spousal support based on 13 statutory factors.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contempt of Court (Support) | Civil/Criminal | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Wage garnishment, lien on property |
| Violation of Protective Order | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Mandatory counseling, firearm restriction |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, which is a unique credential in Virginia family law. The firm tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
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
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 14 total documented case results across all practice areas in Lexington, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at Lexington courts (2 South Main Street), accessible via I-81, I-64, Route 11, and Route 60. We serve the Lexington community, including neighborhoods near Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and Washington and Lee University.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Richmond
7400 Beaufont Springs Dr, Suite 300, Rm 395, Richmond, VA 23225
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
How long does a divorce take in Lexington, Virginia?
It depends. 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. 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 Lexington, 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.
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). Lexington Circuit Court handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Lexington, Virginia?
Custody in Lexington 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. Lexington J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Lexington 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 Lexington Circuit Court.
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Last verified: 2026-04. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.