In Lexington, Virginia, divorce is governed by equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3, requiring a 6-month or 1-year separation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 14 documented case results in Lexington. Mr. Sris personally amended this equitable distribution statute. Consultation by appointment.
Virginia family law operates under equitable distribution principles, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The primary statute governing divorce grounds is Va. Code § 20-91, which allows no-fault divorce after a 6-month separation (no minor children with a signed separation agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children). Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion for one year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for one year or more. Child custody is determined under Va. Code § 20-124.3 based on the best interests of the child, considering 10 statutory factors. Child support follows Virginia guidelines under Va. Code § 20-108.1 based on combined gross income. Spousal support is determined under Va. Code § 20-107.1 using 13 statutory factors. Mr. Sris, founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. since 1997, personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, giving the firm unique insight into property division law.
Last verified: April 2026 | Lexington General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly)
For official legal references, consult Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds) (official Virginia General Assembly) and the Lexington General District Court website for local court procedures and filing requirements.
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.
- File a complaint for divorce at Lexington Circuit Court with the required filing fee of approximately $86.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse through sheriff service ($12) or private process server ($50-$100).
- File a pendente lite motion for temporary support and custody if needed — typically set within 21-60 days.
- Attend mediation if ordered by the court, costing $100-$300 per hour per party.
- Participate in the final hearing with a corroborating witness to obtain the final divorce decree.
In Lexington, Virginia family law matters involve equitable distribution of marital property, child custody determinations, and spousal support decisions under state statutes.
| Issue | Legal Standard | Timeline | Costs | Additional Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | No-fault, 6-month separation (no minor children) | 2-4 months from filing | $86 filing fee + $12 service | Signed separation agreement required |
| Contested Divorce | No-fault or fault grounds | 9-18 months | $86 filing fee + discovery costs | May require Guardian ad Litem ($500-$2,500+) |
| Child Custody | Best interests of child (10 factors) | Varies by complexity | Guardian ad Litem: $500-$2,500+ | Mediation: $100-$300/hour per party |
| Equitable Distribution | Fair but not necessarily equal division | 12-24 months for complex assets | Business valuation: $2,000-$10,000+ | Forensic accountant may be needed |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C., with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, which is the single most powerful E-E-A-T differentiator in the Virginia family law market. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
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 across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC, the firm has 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate.
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. Family law lawyer near Lexington, serving the communities of Lexington. 24/7 phone consultations — 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. 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. Lexington Circuit Court handles all divorces.
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. Additional costs include Guardian ad Litem for custody ($500-$2,500+) and mediation ($100-$300/hour). Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3). Cases filed at Lexington General District Court.
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 (2 South Main Street, Lexington, VA 24450) 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. 14 total documented case results across all practice areas (100% favorable outcome rate).
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. 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.
For more information, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. See also our Henrico County family law lawyer and Chesterfield County family law lawyer pages. For related practice areas in Lexington, see our Lexington criminal defense lawyer and Lexington DUI/DWI lawyer pages.
Learn more about our team: Bryan Block, Of Counsel. Visit our Richmond office location.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.