Arlington County Family Law Attorney — What Are Your Legal Options?
In Arlington County, Virginia family law matters including divorce, spousal support, and child custody fall under Va. Code § 20-91 and § 20-107.3. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented case results in Arlington County. Mr. Sris personally amended the equitable distribution statute. Consultation by appointment.
Virginia Family Law Statutes in Arlington County
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 (equitable distribution), which Mr. Sris personally amended. Divorce grounds include no-fault after a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children). Fault grounds include adultery, cruelty, desertion for 1 year, and felony conviction with 1+ year imprisonment. Child custody decisions follow the best interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3, considering 10 factors. Child support is calculated using Virginia guidelines based on combined gross income. Spousal support (also called spousal maintenance) is determined by 13 statutory factors under Va. Code § 20-107.1.
Last verified: April 2026 | Arlington County General District Court | Va. Code Title 20 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Official Virginia Legal Resources
For the complete text of Virginia’s family law statutes, visit the Virginia General Assembly legislative information system. For court procedures, forms, and local rules, visit the Arlington County General District Court website.
Insider Procedural Edge: Arlington County Family Court
Arlington County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Arlington County 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.
- File a complaint for divorce or petition for custody at the appropriate Arlington County court.
- Serve the other party with legal papers through sheriff service or private process server.
- Attend the pendente lite hearing for temporary support and custody orders (typically within 21-60 days).
- Exchange financial disclosures and attend mediation if ordered by the court.
- Negotiate a settlement agreement or proceed to trial for unresolved issues.
- Receive the final decree of divorce or custody order from the court.
In Arlington County, Virginia family law matters involve equitable distribution of marital property, child custody determinations, and spousal support calculations under state statutes.
| Issue | Legal Standard | Timeline | Court | Key Factors | Additional Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce (No-Fault) | 6-month or 1-year separation | 2-4 months (uncontested); 9-18 months (contested) | Arlington County Circuit Court | Separation period, signed agreement | Corroborating witness required |
| Divorce (Fault) | Adultery, cruelty, desertion, felony | Varies by grounds | Arlington County Circuit Court | Proof of fault grounds | No waiting period for adultery |
| Child Custody | Best interests of the child | 3-6 months (contested) | Arlington County J&DR Court | 10 factors under Va. Code § 20-124.3 | Guardian ad Litem may be appointed |
| Child Support | Virginia guidelines | Ongoing | Arlington County J&DR Court | Combined gross income | Modification available for changed circumstances |
| Spousal Support | 13 statutory factors | Ongoing or durational | Arlington County Circuit Court | Length of marriage, earning capacity | Modification or termination available |
| Equitable Distribution | 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3 | Part of divorce case | Arlington County Circuit Court | Marital vs. separate property | Business valuation may be required |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for Your Arlington County Family Law Case
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to every case. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute — a rare achievement that demonstrates deep knowledge of family law. The firm has 4,739+ total documented case results across all practice areas with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC. Our Arlington County team includes Samantha Rae Powers, who brings 18+ years of family law experience with a J.D./M.A. from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in Communication from UCSB. We handle each case with a case-specific approach case-specific to your unique circumstances.
Arlington County Family Law Case Results
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 total documented case results across all practice areas in Arlington 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. Examples of Arlington County case results include a domestic assault charge dismissed (nolle prosequi) in Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, and an assault charge dismissed in Arlington County General District Court.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Arlington County Family Law Lawyer Near You
Our Arlington location at 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719, Arlington, VA 22209 is minutes from the Arlington County courts. We serve clients throughout Arlington County including Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington.
Looking for a family law lawyer near Arlington County? Our office is conveniently located near the Courthouse metro station and accessible via I-395 and Route 50.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Arlington
1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719, Arlington, VA 22209
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Arlington County
How long does a divorce take in Arlington County, Virginia?
It depends. An uncontested divorce with a signed separation agreement takes 2-4 months from filing to final decree. A contested divorce takes 9-18 months. Complex cases involving business valuation or retirement assets can take 12-24 months. Pendente lite hearings for temporary support are typically set within 21-60 days of motion filing.
How much does a divorce cost in Arlington County, Virginia?
It depends. The Circuit Court filing fee for a divorce complaint is approximately $86. Sheriff service of process costs about $12, while a private process server costs $50-$100. Additional costs include Guardian ad Litem for custody ($500-$2,500+) and 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 from division.
How is child custody decided in Arlington County, Virginia?
Custody 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. Arlington County J&DR Court handles standalone custody cases. Arlington County Circuit Court handles custody within divorce cases.
What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia?
No-fault grounds include a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation. Fault grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for 1 year, and felony conviction with 1+ year imprisonment. All divorces are filed at Arlington County Circuit Court.
How is spousal support calculated in Arlington County?
It depends. Spousal support (also called spousal maintenance) is determined by 13 statutory factors under Va. Code § 20-107.1, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, and the standard of living during the marriage. There is no fixed formula — the court has discretion based on these factors.
Related Legal Services in Arlington County
- Virginia Family Law Lawyer — Statewide family law representation
- Alexandria Family Law Lawyer — Serving Alexandria City
- Arlington County Criminal Defense Lawyer — Criminal defense in Arlington County
- Arlington County DUI Lawyer — DUI defense in Arlington County
- Our Arlington Location — 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700
- Samantha Rae Powers Profile — Primary family law attorney
Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of February 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.