Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Alexandria, Virginia
In Alexandria, divorce and family law matters are handled at the Alexandria Circuit Court located at 520 King Street, 2nd Floor.
Virginia Family Law Statutes
Virginia family law is governed by specific statutes. Va. Code § 20-91 establishes the grounds for divorce, including no-fault separation periods and fault-based grounds like adultery or cruelty. Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute personally amended by Mr. Sris, governs how marital property is divided fairly—not necessarily 50/50—based on 11 statutory factors. Child custody determinations follow the child’s best interests under Va. Code § 20-124.3, while child support is calculated using statewide guidelines in Va. Code § 20-108.1.
Last verified: March 2026 | Alexandria General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Virginia’s family law statutes, visit the Virginia General Assembly website (Va. Code Title 20, Chapter 6). For court-specific forms, procedures, and contact information, refer to the Alexandria General District Court official website.
Alexandria Family Court Process
Alexandria Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. The Alexandria 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.
- File initial pleadings: File a complaint for divorce, custody, or support at Alexandria Circuit Court (520 King Street, 2nd Floor). Pay the $86 filing fee.
- Serve the other party: Have the sheriff ($12) or a private process server ($50-$100) deliver the documents to your spouse.
- Attend pendente lite hearing: If temporary orders are needed, attend a pendente lite hearing within 21-60 days of filing the motion.
- Complete discovery: Exchange financial documents and other evidence. Consider mediation ($100-$300/hour per party) to resolve issues.
- Attend final hearing: Present your case at trial before a judge. The court will issue a final decree dividing property and setting custody/support.
Penalties and Legal Standards
In Alexandria, family law matters involve specific legal standards rather than criminal penalties. Virginia is an equitable distribution state; no-fault divorce requires a 6-month separation (no minor children) or 1-year separation (with minor children). Fault grounds include adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion for 1 year, or felony conviction with imprisonment for 1+ year.
| Issue | Legal Classification | Court | Typical Timeline | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | No-fault | Alexandria Circuit Court | 2-4 months | Requires signed separation agreement |
| Contested Divorce | Fault or No-fault | Alexandria Circuit Court | 9-18 months | May involve pendente lite hearings |
| Complex Property Division | Equitable Distribution | Alexandria Circuit Court | 12-24 months | Business valuation or retirement assets |
| Child Custody | Best Interests of Child | Alexandria J&DR Court | Varies | 10 statutory factors under Va. Code § 20-124.3 |
Results may vary. Each case depends on unique facts and circumstances.
Firm Credentials and Authority
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm brings over 120 years of combined legal experience. A key differentiator is that Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3. This deep, statute-level involvement provides a unique advantage in complex property division cases. Our tagline, “Global advocacy. Local precision,” reflects our approach to family law matters in Alexandria.
Samantha Rae Powers, Associate Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA, FL. Experienced family law and civil litigator. View Samantha Rae Powers’s Profile
Documented Case Results
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC with over 93% favorable outcomes. The firm actively practices in Alexandria and understands the local court procedures at the Alexandria Circuit Court and Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Local Representation in Alexandria
Our Arlington location serves clients at Alexandria courts (520 King Street). We are a family law lawyer near Alexandria and the Old Town area. We serve Alexandria, Old Town, Del Ray, and Kingstowne. We offer 24/7 phone consultations at (888) 437-7747. Meetings are by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Alexandria, Virginia?
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.
How much does a divorce cost in Alexandria, 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 and mediation.
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). Alexandria Circuit Court (520 King Street, 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA 22320) handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Alexandria, Virginia?
Custody in Alexandria 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. Alexandria J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Alexandria Circuit Court handles custody within divorce cases.
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 Alexandria Circuit Court.
Related Legal Services
For more information on family law across Virginia, see our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. If you are in a neighboring area, you may also consult our Arlington County family law lawyer. For other legal needs in Alexandria, we handle criminal defense and DUI/DWI defense. Learn more about our attorneys’ backgrounds.
Last verified: March 2026. Information is current as of the verification date. Laws change—contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.