In Prince William County, Virginia, divorce is governed by Va. Code § 20-91, requiring a 6-month or 1-year separation for no-fault divorce. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 297 documented case results in this jurisdiction. A Cruelty Divorce Lawyer Prince William County can help you handle fault-based grounds for divorce.
Last verified: April 2026 | Prince William County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Statutory Definition of Divorce in Prince William County
Virginia law provides for both no-fault and fault-based divorce. No-fault divorce requires a separation period of 6 months if there are no minor children and a signed property settlement agreement, or 1 year if there are minor children. Fault grounds include adultery, cruel treatment divorce grounds lawyer Prince William County can address, desertion for 1 year, and felony conviction with imprisonment for 1+ year. The Prince William County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Mr. Sris, founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, which is a key factor in how marital property is divided.
External Citation Links
For the official state statute, visit Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly). For court information, see the Prince William County General District Court website.
Insider Procedural Edge for Prince William County Family Law
Prince William County Circuit Court requires a corroborating witness for uncontested divorce 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 the Prince William County Circuit Court, located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110.
- Serve the divorce papers on your spouse through sheriff service ($12) or a private process server ($50-$100).
- Attend a pendente lite hearing for temporary support and custody, typically set within 21-60 days of motion.
- Complete mediation if required, costing $100-$300/hour per party.
- Attend the final hearing with a corroborating witness to obtain the final divorce decree.
Penalty Table for Divorce in Prince William County
In Prince William County, divorce carries no criminal penalty but involves significant financial and custody consequences.
| Issue | Classification | Incarceration | Financial Impact | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No-fault divorce | Civil matter | None | Filing fee: ~$86; attorney fees vary | None | 6-month or 1-year separation required |
| Fault divorce (cruelty) | Civil matter | None | Filing fee: ~$86; attorney fees vary | None | No waiting period; must prove grounds |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
E-E-A-T Authority Block
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 firm-wide 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, which is a key factor in Virginia family law. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Secondary Attorney: Mr. Sris, founder of the firm, is a former prosecutor with bar admissions in VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY. He personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute.
Case Results in Prince William County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 297 total documented case results across all practice areas in Prince William County, with a 97% favorable outcome rate.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Local Pack Trigger Block
Our Fairfax location is accessible from Prince William County via I-66 and Route 28. For a Cruelty Divorce Lawyer Prince William County near Manassas or Woodbridge, contact us. We serve Manassas, Woodbridge, Dale City, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Lake Ridge, and Occoquan. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Fairfax
4008 Williamsburg Ct, Fairfax, VA 22032, United States
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Prince William County, Virginia?
Yes, uncontested divorce takes 2-4 months; contested divorce takes 9-18 months; complex cases take 12-24 months. Pendente lite hearings are set within 21-60 days.
How much does a divorce cost in Prince William County, Virginia?
It depends. Circuit Court filing fee is ~$86; sheriff service is ~$12; private process server is $50-$100; Guardian ad Litem is $500-$2,500+; mediation is $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 under Va. Code § 20-107.3, personally amended by Mr. Sris.
How is child custody decided in Prince William County, Virginia?
It depends. Custody is based on the best interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3, considering 10 factors. Prince William 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, cruelty, desertion (1 year), felony conviction (1+ year imprisonment).