Fault Based Divorce Lawyer King William County — What Are Your Legal Grounds?
A Fault Based Divorce Lawyer King William County handles cases under Va. Code § 20-91 for adultery, cruelty, or desertion. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 7 documented results in King William County. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute. Consultation by appointment.
Last verified: April 2026 | King William County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia law under Va. Code § 20-91 provides specific fault grounds for divorce lawyer King William County clients can use. These grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty (reasonable apprehension of bodily harm), desertion for one year, and felony conviction with one or more years of imprisonment. Unlike no-fault divorce, fault-based divorce does not require a separation period. The at-fault divorce lawyer King William County practitioners at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. understand that proving fault can affect spousal support, equitable distribution, and attorney’s fees under Va. Code § 20-107.3 — a statute Mr. Sris personally amended. King William County Circuit Court at 351 Courthouse Lane handles all fault-based divorce filings. Filing fees are approximately $86, with additional costs for service of process.
For the complete statutory framework, review Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly) which defines all fault grounds. The King William County Circuit Court website provides local filing procedures and forms.
King William County Circuit Court requires a corroborating witness for fault-based divorce hearings. The court schedules pendente lite hearings within 21-60 days of motion filing. Mediation is available but not mandatory. Forensic accountants are used for complex marital estates involving business assets.
- File a complaint for divorce listing specific fault grounds under Va. Code § 20-91 at King William County Circuit Court.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse via sheriff ($12) or private process server ($50-$100).
- Attend pendente lite hearing for temporary support, custody, and exclusive use of marital home.
- Complete discovery including financial affidavits, business valuations, and asset tracing.
- Participate in settlement negotiations or mediation to resolve property division and support.
- Proceed to final hearing with corroborating witness testimony to prove fault grounds.
In King William County, fault-based divorce under Va. Code § 20-91 affects property division, spousal support, and attorney’s fees through equitable distribution.
| Issue | Classification | Impact on Divorce | Financial Effect | Evidence Required | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery | Fault Ground | No waiting period required | May reduce spousal support award | Direct or circumstantial proof | Potential attorney’s fee award against adulterous spouse |
| Cruelty | Fault Ground | No waiting period required | May increase spousal support | Medical records, police reports, witness testimony | Protective order possible |
| Desertion | Fault Ground | 1-year waiting period required | May affect property division | Proof of abandonment | Abandonment of minor children affects custody |
| Felony Conviction | Fault Ground | 1+ year imprisonment required | May affect support calculations | Certified conviction records | Incarceration affects parenting time |
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, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute — a credential no other firm can claim. This amendment directly impacts how fault grounds affect property division in King William County. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder, personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 and brings former prosecutor insight to every family law case. He is admitted in VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 7 total documented case results across all practice areas in King William County 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 King William County courts (351 Courthouse Lane, Suite 201, King William, VA 23086). The location is accessible via Route 30, Route 360, and Route 33.
We serve King William, West Point, and Aylett.
24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Q: Can I file for divorce based on adultery in King William County without waiting?
Yes. Adultery under Va. Code § 20-91 has no waiting period. You must provide corroborating evidence such as hotel receipts, credit card statements, or witness testimony. King William County Circuit Court handles these filings.
Q: How does fault affect property division in King William County?
It depends. Virginia is an equitable distribution state under Va. Code § 20-107.3. The court considers fault as one of 11 factors when dividing marital property. Adultery may reduce the at-fault spouse’s share of assets.
Q: What evidence do I need for a cruelty-based divorce in King William County?
You need medical records, police reports, photographs of injuries, and witness testimony. The cruelty must create a reasonable apprehension of bodily harm. King William County Circuit Court requires corroborating witness testimony.
Q: How long does a fault-based divorce take in King William County?
Contested fault-based divorce takes 9-18 months from filing to final decree. Complex cases with business valuation or retirement assets take 12-24 months. Pendente lite hearings for temporary support are set within 21-60 days.
Q: Can I get spousal support if I prove fault in King William County?
Yes. The court considers fault under Va. Code § 20-107.1’s 13 factors. Adultery by the paying spouse may increase support. Cruelty by the paying spouse may also increase support. Desertion for one year is a separate ground.
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Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.