Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Hanover County, Virginia
Hanover County family law matters, including divorce and equitable distribution, are governed by Virginia statutes such as Va. Code § 20-107.3. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 19 documented case results in Hanover County. Our firm provides full representation for divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division. We handle cases at the Hanover County Circuit Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Virginia is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly based on 11 statutory factors, not necessarily 50/50. The primary statute is Va. Code § 20-107.3, which Mr. Sris personally helped amend. Divorce grounds include no-fault separation (6 months or 1 year) and fault-based grounds like adultery or cruelty under Va. Code § 20-91.
Last verified: March 2026 | Hanover County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
For the official Virginia family law statutes, see Va. Code Title 20, Chapter 6 (official Virginia General Assembly). For Hanover County court information, visit the Hanover County General District Court website.
Hanover County Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. The 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 the initial complaint: File a complaint for divorce, custody, or support at the Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office with the required filing fee.
- Serve the other party: Have the complaint and summons served on your spouse or the other parent by sheriff, private process server, or acceptance of service.
- Attend scheduling conference: Attend the court’s scheduling conference to set deadlines for discovery, mediation, and trial dates.
- Complete discovery and mediation: Exchange financial documents and other evidence. Participate in court-ordered or voluntary mediation to try to reach an agreement.
- Prepare for trial: If no agreement is reached, prepare for a bench trial before a Hanover County Circuit Court judge.
- Obtain final order: After trial or settlement, obtain a final decree of divorce, custody order, or support order from the court.
In Hanover County, family law cases involve equitable distribution of property, potential spousal support, and child support calculated using Virginia guidelines based on combined gross income.
| Offense/Matter | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contempt of Court (failure to pay support) | Civil / Criminal | Up to 10 days | Varies | Driver’s license suspension, professional license suspension |
| Divorce Filing | Civil Action | N/A | ~$86 filing fee | Property division, support orders |
Results may vary. Each case depends on its unique facts and circumstances.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined attorney experience. Mr. Sris personally played a key role in amending 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
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 19 documented case results in Hanover County across all practice areas, with a 100% favorable outcome rate for these matters.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at Hanover County courts (7507 Library Drive). We are accessible via I-95, I-295, Route 1, Route 301, and Route 33. We are a family law lawyer near Hanover County, serving Mechanicsville, Ashland, Atlee, Beaverdam, and Doswell.
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 Hanover 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 Hanover 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). Hanover County Circuit Court handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Hanover County, Virginia?
Custody in Hanover 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. Hanover County J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Hanover 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 Hanover County Circuit Court.
For more information, see our Virginia family law lawyer hub page. We also serve nearby areas like Henrico County family law lawyer and Chesterfield County family law lawyer. In Hanover County, we also handle criminal defense and DUI/DWI defense. Learn more about attorney Bryan Block.
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.