Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Family law cases in Chesterfield County are filed at the Chesterfield County Circuit Court located at 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832.
Virginia Family Law Statutes
Virginia family law is primarily codified in Title 20 of the Virginia Code. Key statutes include Va. Code § 20-91 (establishing grounds for divorce), § 20-107.3 (governing equitable distribution of marital property), § 20-108.1 (child support guidelines), § 20-124.2 (custody based on the child’s best interests), and § 20-107.1 (factors for spousal support). Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris.
Last verified: March 2026 | Chesterfield County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the complete text of Virginia family law statutes, refer to the Virginia Code Title 20 (Domestic Relations) on the official Virginia General Assembly website. For court-specific information, forms, and procedures, visit the Chesterfield County General District Court website.
Chesterfield County Family Law Process
Chesterfield County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Chesterfield 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.
- Schedule a consultation with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. to discuss your family law matter, review documents, and develop a case strategy.
- File the appropriate legal documents (divorce complaint, custody petition, etc.) with Chesterfield County Circuit Court or Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, paying the required filing fees.
- Exchange financial disclosures, conduct depositions if needed, and gather evidence related to assets, income, parenting roles, and other relevant factors.
- Participate in settlement conferences or mediation to attempt to resolve issues like property division, support, and custody without a trial.
- Prepare for trial by organizing evidence, preparing witnesses, and developing legal arguments. Attend all scheduled court hearings.
- Address any post-trial motions, appeals if necessary, and take steps to enforce court orders regarding support, custody, or property division.
Penalties and Legal Standards
In Chesterfield County, family law involves equitable distribution of property, not penalties. 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 Standard | Court | Typical Timeline | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce | No-fault separation or fault grounds | Circuit Court | 2-24 months | Separation period, grounds, agreement |
| Property Division | Equitable distribution (Va. Code § 20-107.3) | Circuit Court | Varies with complexity | 11 statutory factors |
| Child Custody | Best interests of child (Va. Code § 20-124.3) | J&DR or Circuit Court | 3-12 months | 10 statutory factors |
| Child Support | Virginia guidelines based on income | J&DR or Circuit Court | 1-3 months | Combined gross income, custody time |
| Spousal Support | 13 statutory factors (Va. Code § 20-107.1) | Circuit Court | Varies | Need, ability to pay, duration |
Results may vary. Each case depends on unique facts and circumstances.
Firm Credentials
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 and has over 120 years of combined attorney experience. The firm has achieved 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3). Our tagline is “Global advocacy. Local precision.”
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
Case Results in Chesterfield County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 15 total documented case results across all practice areas in Chesterfield County with a 100% favorable outcome rate. These results include dismissals, reductions, and favorable settlements in family law matters.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Local Representation
Our Richmond location serves clients at Chesterfield County courts (9500 Courthouse Road), accessible via I-95, I-295, Route 1, Route 10, and Route 360 (Hull Street). We are a family law lawyer near Chesterfield County and near Chesterfield Towne Center.
We serve the Midlothian, Chester, Colonial Heights area, Bon Air, Brandermill, and Moseley communities.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
7400 Beaufont Springs Dr, Suite 300, Rm 395
Richmond, VA 23225
Phone: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Chesterfield County, 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 Chesterfield County, 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). Chesterfield County Circuit Court (9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832) handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Chesterfield County, Virginia?
Custody in Chesterfield County 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. Chesterfield County J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Chesterfield County 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 Chesterfield County Circuit Court. Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86; sheriff service of process: approximately $12; private process server: $50-$100.
Related Legal Services
For more information on family law in Virginia, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. We also serve neighboring areas including Henrico County and Colonial Heights. In Chesterfield County, we also handle criminal defense and DUI/DWI cases. Learn more about our attorneys.
Last verified: March 2026. Information updated as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.