In Fairfax County, Virginia family law cases follow equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3, personally amended by Mr. Sris. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1789 documented case results across all practice areas. Our Fairfax location serves clients throughout Fairfax County. Consultation by appointment.
Virginia family law governs divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division. Virginia is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The court considers 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3 when dividing property. Mr. Sris personally amended this statute, making it a cornerstone of Virginia family law.
Last verified: April 2026 | Fairfax County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly)
For additional information, review the Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds) (official Virginia General Assembly) and the Fairfax County General District Court website.
Fairfax County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders.
- File a complaint for divorce at Fairfax County Circuit Court (4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 210).
- 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 to attempt settlement of all issues.
- If no settlement, proceed to trial for the judge to decide.
- Receive final decree of divorce from the court.
In Fairfax County, Virginia family law cases involve no criminal penalties, but financial consequences can be significant. Equitable distribution and support orders are enforceable through contempt proceedings.
| Issue | Legal Standard | Timeframe | Cost Range | Court | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | 6-month or 1-year separation | 2-4 months | $86 filing fee + service costs | Circuit Court | Requires signed separation agreement |
| Contested Divorce | Equitable distribution | 9-18 months | $5,000-$20,000+ | Circuit Court | May require business valuation |
| Child Custody | Best interests of child | 3-6 months | $500-$2,500+ GAL fees | J&DR Court | 10 factors under Va. Code § 20-124.3 |
| Child Support | Virginia guidelines | 2-4 months | Based on income | J&DR Court | Combined gross income formula |
| Spousal Support | 13 statutory factors | 3-6 months | Varies | Circuit Court | Duration depends on marriage length |
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 has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs property division in every Virginia divorce. This achievement is unique among Virginia family law attorneys. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, also handles complex family law matters. He personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 and has been practicing family law since 1997. He is admitted to practice in VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1789 total documented case results across all practice areas in Fairfax County, with a 97% 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 Fairfax location is located near the Fairfax County courts at 4110 Chain Bridge Road, accessible via I-66 and Route 50. We serve clients throughout Fairfax County and nearby communities.
Looking for a family law lawyer near Fairfax County? Our Fairfax location is convenient for clients from 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.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032
By appointment only.
How long does a divorce take in Fairfax County, 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: 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 Fairfax 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.
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.
How is child custody decided in Fairfax County, Virginia?
Custody in Fairfax 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. Fairfax County J&DR Court handles standalone custody.
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 Fairfax County Circuit Court.
For more information, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer page. For nearby localities, see our Fairfax City Family Law Lawyer and Falls Church Family Law Lawyer pages. For related practice areas in Fairfax County, see our Criminal Defense Lawyer Fairfax County and DUI Lawyer Fairfax County pages.
Learn more about our team on our attorney profile page.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for updated guidance.