Divorce & Family Law Attorney in Augusta County, Virginia
Augusta County family law matters, including divorce under Va. Code § 20-91 and equitable distribution under § 20-107.3, are handled at the Augusta County Circuit Court; Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 13 documented results in Augusta County. Our firm provides full representation for divorce, child custody, support, and property division. We handle the details of your case with a case-specific approach.
Virginia is an equitable distribution state, not community property. Marital property is divided fairly based on 11 statutory factors.
Virginia Family Law Statutes for Augusta County
Family law in Virginia is governed by specific statutes. Divorce requires grounds under Va. Code § 20-91, such as a 6-month or 1-year separation. Property division follows Va. Code § 20-107.3, which Mr. Sris personally helped amend. Child custody is determined by the child’s best interests under Va. Code § 20-124.3. Child support follows the statewide guidelines in Va. Code § 20-108.1. Spousal support considers 13 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.1.
Last verified: March 2026 | Augusta County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Virginia’s family law statutes, visit the Va. Code § 20-91 (official Virginia General Assembly). For information about the Augusta County courts, including forms and procedures, visit the Augusta County General District Court website.
Augusta County Family Law Process
Augusta County Circuit Court handles divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support. 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 divorce, custody, or support complaint at the Augusta County Circuit Court clerk’s office with the required filing fee.
- Serve the other party: Have the sheriff or a private process server deliver the legal documents to your spouse or the other parent.
- Attend scheduling conference: The court will schedule a conference to set deadlines for discovery, mediation, and potential trial dates.
- Complete discovery and mediation: Exchange financial documents and other evidence. Attempt mediation to resolve issues without a trial.
- Prepare for and attend trial: If no agreement is reached, prepare evidence and witnesses for a trial before a judge.
- Obtain the final order: The judge will issue a final decree of divorce, custody order, or support order resolving all matters.
Augusta County Family Law Penalties and Costs
In Augusta County, family law involves court costs and fees, not criminal penalties. The legal standard is equitable distribution of marital property.
| Offense | Classification | Court Costs / Fees | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce Filing | Civil Action | ~$86 filing fee + $12 service | Property division, potential support orders |
| Child Custody Case | Civil Action | Filing fees + Guardian ad Litem ($500-$2,500+) | Custody/visitation schedule established |
| Child Support Establishment | Civil Action | Filing fees | Monthly support order, wage withholding |
Results may vary. The costs and outcomes in any family law case depend on the specific facts and circumstances.
Firm Credentials in Virginia Family Law
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 deep knowledge to family law. Mr. Sris personally helped amend Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, giving our team direct insight into this critical area of law.
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
Augusta County Family Law Case Results
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 13 total documented case results across all practice areas in Augusta County, with a 100% favorable outcome rate for these matters. Our experience includes resolving divorce, custody, and support cases.
Results may vary. Prior results do not aim for a similar outcome in your case.
Family Law Lawyer Near Augusta County
Our Shenandoah/Woodstock location serves clients at the Augusta County courts (6 East Johnson Street, Staunton), accessible via I-81 and I-64. We are a family law lawyer near Staunton and Waynesboro.
We serve the Augusta County area and surrounding communities including Staunton, Waynesboro, Fishersville, Stuarts Draft, Verona, and Churchville.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
Shenandoah/Woodstock Location
505 N Main St, Suite 103
Woodstock, VA 22664
Phone: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Augusta County, Virginia?
Uncontested divorce with a signed separation agreement takes 2-4 months from filing. A contested divorce typically takes 9-18 months. Complex cases with business assets can take 12-24 months. A pendente lite hearing for temporary orders is usually set within 21-60 days.
How much does a divorce cost in Augusta County, Virginia?
The Circuit Court filing fee is about $86. Service of process costs ~$12 via sheriff or $50-$100 privately. Additional costs include Guardian ad Litem fees ($500-$2,500+) for custody and mediation ($100-$300 per hour per party).
Is Virginia a community property state?
No. Virginia uses equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3. Marital property is divided fairly based on 11 factors, not necessarily 50/50. Separate property, like pre-marriage assets or inheritances, is not divided.
How is child custody decided in Augusta County, Virginia?
Custody is based on the child’s best interests under Va. Code § 20-124.3. The court considers 10 factors, including each parent’s role, the child’s relationships, and any history of abuse. Standalone custody cases go to J&DR Court.
What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia?
No-fault grounds require a 6-month separation (no minor children with an agreement) or a 1-year separation. Fault grounds include adultery (no wait), cruelty, desertion for one year, or a felony conviction with 1+ year imprisonment.
Related Legal Services
For more information, see our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. We also serve nearby areas: Shenandoah County family law lawyer and Frederick County family law lawyer. In Augusta County, we also handle criminal defense and DUI/DWI cases. Learn more about our attorneys.
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.