Fault Based Divorce Lawyer Prince George County — What Are Your Legal Grounds?
A Fault Based Divorce Lawyer Prince George County handles cases under Va. Code § 20-91 for adultery, cruelty, desertion, or felony conviction. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 7 documented case results in Prince George County. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3. Consultation by appointment.
Last verified: April 2026 | Prince George County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia law recognizes four fault grounds for divorce under Va. Code § 20-91. Adultery requires proof of a sexual relationship and carries no waiting period. Cruelty requires evidence of reasonable apprehension of bodily harm. Desertion requires one year of willful abandonment. A felony conviction requires imprisonment for one year or more. An at-fault divorce lawyer Prince George County can help you prove these grounds in court. The Prince George County Circuit Court at 6601 Courts Drive handles all fault-based divorce filings. Filing fees start at approximately $86.
Review the official Virginia divorce statute (Va. Code § 20-91) for complete fault grounds. The Prince George County Circuit Court website provides local filing procedures and forms.
Prince George 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 in Virginia fault cases.
- File a complaint for divorce listing specific fault grounds at Prince George County Circuit Court.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse through sheriff or private process server.
- Attend the pendente lite hearing for temporary support and custody orders.
- Complete discovery including financial affidavits and evidence of fault grounds.
- Attend mediation if ordered by the court.
- Proceed to final hearing with corroborating witness testimony.
In Prince George County, fault-based divorce carries no criminal penalty but affects property division, spousal support, and attorney fee awards under Va. Code § 20-107.3.
| Fault Ground | Waiting Period | Impact on Property Division | Impact on Spousal Support | Burden of Proof | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery | None | Court may award more marital property to innocent spouse | Adulterous spouse may be barred from spousal support | Clear and convincing evidence | Attorney fees may be awarded to innocent spouse |
| Cruelty | None | Court considers conduct in equitable distribution | May affect support amount and duration | Preponderance of evidence | Protective orders possible |
| Desertion | 1 year | Abandonment may reduce property share | May affect support eligibility | Preponderance of evidence | Must prove willful abandonment |
| Felony Conviction | 1+ year imprisonment | Court considers incarceration in property division | May affect support during incarceration | Certified conviction record | No-fault alternative may be simpler |
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 firm-wide across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute — a rare achievement that demonstrates deep family law experience. The firm maintains a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across all practice areas.
Mr. Sris, Owner & CEO and Managing Attorney, leads the firm’s family law practice. He is a former prosecutor, founded the firm in 1997, and personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3. He holds bar admissions in Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., New Jersey, and New York.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 7 total documented case results across all practice areas in Prince George County, with a 43% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at Prince George County courts (6601 Courts Drive). Accessible via I-295, Route 10, Route 36, and Route 156. We serve Prince George, Hopewell area, and surrounding communities.
Looking for a fault grounds for divorce lawyer Prince George County near you? Our team is ready to help.
Neighborhoods served: Prince George, Hopewell area.
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 fault-based divorce take in Prince George County?
It depends. An uncontested fault divorce with signed agreement takes 2-4 months. A contested fault divorce takes 9-18 months. Complex cases with business valuation take 12-24 months. Prince George County Circuit Court handles all fault divorces.
What are the fault grounds for divorce in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia recognizes adultery (no waiting period), cruelty (reasonable apprehension of bodily harm), desertion (1 year willful abandonment), and felony conviction (1+ year imprisonment). File at Prince George County Circuit Court. Va. Code § 20-91.
Is Virginia a community property state for fault divorces?
No. Virginia is an equitable distribution state. The court divides marital property fairly but not necessarily 50/50. The court considers 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (personally amended by Mr. Sris). Fault grounds may affect property division.
How much does a fault-based divorce cost in Prince George County?
It depends. Circuit Court filing fee: approximately $86. Sheriff service: $12. Private process server: $50-$100. Guardian ad Litem for custody: $500-$2,500+. Mediation: $100-$300/hour per party. Attorney fees vary by case complexity.
Can I get spousal support in a fault-based divorce?
It depends. Virginia courts consider 13 statutory factors under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Adultery may bar the adulterous spouse from receiving spousal support. Other fault grounds may affect the amount and duration of support awarded.
Return to Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page.
Nearby localities: Henrico County Divorce Lawyer | Chesterfield County Divorce Lawyer | Colonial Heights Divorce Lawyer | Hanover County Divorce Lawyer | Powhatan County Divorce Lawyer
Related services in Prince George County: Criminal Defense Lawyer | DUI/DWI Lawyer | Personal Injury Lawyer | Reckless Driving Lawyer
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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.