Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Chesapeake, Virginia
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides experienced family law representation in Chesapeake, Virginia. Virginia is an equitable distribution state under Va. Code § 20-107.3, which Mr. Sris personally amended. The firm has 6 documented case results in Chesapeake. We handle divorce, child custody, support, and complex property division matters filed at Chesapeake Circuit Court.
In Chesapeake, no-fault divorce requires a 6-month separation if there are no minor children and a signed agreement, or a 1-year separation if minor children are involved.
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 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 factors. Child custody determinations are made under Va. Code § 20-124.3, focusing on the child’s best interests.
Last verified: March 2026 | Chesapeake General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Virginia’s family laws, refer to the official Va. Code § 20-91 (divorce grounds) on the Virginia General Assembly website. For court-specific procedures and forms, visit the Chesapeake General District Court website.
Chesapeake Family Law Process
Chesapeake Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters at 307 Albemarle Drive. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders. Virginia requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested divorce hearing.
- File the initial complaint: File a divorce or custody complaint with the Chesapeake Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Pay the $86 filing fee and arrange for service of process on your spouse.
- Attend the pendente lite hearing: If temporary support or custody is needed, request a pendente lite hearing, typically scheduled within 21-60 days of filing the motion.
- Complete discovery and mediation: Exchange financial documents and other evidence. Consider mediation to resolve issues without a trial, though it is not mandatory in Virginia.
- Prepare for the final hearing: If settlement is not reached, prepare for trial before a Chesapeake Circuit Court judge to decide divorce, property division, custody, and support.
Penalties and Legal Standards
In Chesapeake, family law matters involve specific costs and timelines rather than criminal penalties. An uncontested divorce with a signed agreement typically takes 2-4 months, while a contested divorce can take 9-18 months or longer for complex cases.
| Matter | Classification | Typical Timeline | Court Costs | Additional Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | No-Fault | 2-4 months | ~$86 filing + service fees | Requires signed separation agreement |
| Contested Divorce | Fault/No-Fault | 9-18 months | Filing fees + motion costs | May involve pendente lite hearings |
| Complex Equitable Distribution | Property Division | 12-24 months | Filing fees + experienced fees | May require business valuators, forensic accountants |
| Child Custody Case | Best Interests Standard | 6-12 months | Filing fees + Guardian ad Litem ($500-$2,500+) | Handled by J&DR Court or Circuit Court |
Results may vary. Each case depends on unique facts and circumstances.
Firm Credentials
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 to every case. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, demonstrating deep involvement in Virginia family law. Our tagline, “Global advocacy. Local precision,” reflects our approach.
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 Chesapeake
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 6 documented case results in Chesapeake across all practice areas, with a 100% favorable outcome rate for family law matters. These results include successful resolutions in divorce, custody, and property division cases.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Local Representation
Our Richmond location serves clients at the Chesapeake courts (307 Albemarle Drive), accessible via I-64, I-464, and Route 168. We are a family law lawyer near Chesapeake City Hall and the Greenbrier area. We serve Chesapeake, Deep Creek, Great Bridge, and Greenbrier. We offer 24/7 phone consultations at (888) 437-7747. Meetings are 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 Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake, 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). Chesapeake Circuit Court (307 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322) handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Chesapeake, Virginia?
Custody in Chesapeake 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. Chesapeake J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake 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 nearby locality, consider our Henrico County family law lawyer or Chesterfield County family law lawyer. For other legal needs in Chesapeake, we also handle criminal defense and DUI/DWI defense. Learn more about your attorney on the Bryan Block profile page.
Last verified: March 2026. Information is updated from 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.