Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Colonial Heights, Virginia
Virginia family law operates under an equitable distribution system where marital property is divided fairly based on 11 statutory factors, not necessarily 50/50. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, giving our firm unique insight into property division cases.
Last verified: March 2026 | Colonial Heights General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
For official Virginia family law statutes, refer to Va. Code Title 20 Chapter 6 (official Virginia General Assembly). Colonial Heights family law cases are filed at Colonial Heights General District Court for certain matters and Colonial Heights Circuit Court for divorces.
Colonial Heights Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters. Colonial Heights Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles standalone custody, visitation, child support, and protective orders.
- Schedule a consultation with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. to discuss your situation.
- Your attorney will file the divorce complaint or custody petition at the appropriate Colonial Heights court.
- The other party must be formally served with the legal documents.
- Attend all scheduled hearings, including pendente lite motions for temporary support.
- Attempt to reach a settlement through negotiation or mediation.
- If no agreement is possible, the case proceeds to trial before a judge.
In Colonial Heights, family law matters follow Virginia’s equitable distribution system with no-fault divorce available after 6-month separation (no minor children) or 1-year separation (with minor children).
| Offense | Classification | Timeline | Costs | Court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested Divorce | No-fault | 2-4 months | $86 filing + service fees | Colonial Heights Circuit Court |
| Contested Divorce | No-fault or fault | 9-18 months | $86 filing + additional costs | Colonial Heights Circuit Court |
| Complex Equitable Distribution | Property division | 12-24 months | Filing fees + experienced costs | Colonial Heights Circuit Court |
| Child Custody | Best interests standard | Varies | Filing fees + Guardian ad Litem | Colonial Heights J&DR Court |
Results may vary based on individual case circumstances.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. With over 120 years of combined attorney experience and 4,739+ firm-wide case results, our firm brings substantial knowledge to Colonial Heights family law matters. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3), providing unique insight into property division cases.
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 4 documented case results in Colonial Heights across all practice areas with a 100% favorable outcome rate for family law matters handled locally.
Results may vary based on individual case circumstances.
Our Richmond location serves clients at Colonial Heights courts (550 Boulevard), accessible via I-95, I-295, Route 1, and Route 144 (Temple Avenue). We are a family law lawyer near Colonial Heights and Southpark Mall.
We serve the Colonial Heights area and surrounding 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 Colonial Heights, 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 Colonial Heights, 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). Colonial Heights Circuit Court handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
How is child custody decided in Colonial Heights, Virginia?
Custody in Colonial Heights 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. Colonial Heights J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Colonial Heights 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 Colonial Heights Circuit Court.
For more information on Virginia family law, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. We also serve nearby areas including Henrico County family law and Chesterfield County family law. For other legal needs in Colonial Heights, see our Colonial Heights criminal defense lawyer and Colonial Heights DUI/DWI lawyer pages. Learn more about our attorneys and our Richmond office location.
Last verified: March 2026. Information current as of verification date. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.