Service Member Divorce Lawyer Manassas Park, VA

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York

Practicing since 1997

For service members and military spouses in Manassas Park, ending a marriage raises legal and practical considerations that civilian divorces do not. Federal statutes like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act interact with Virginia’s divorce and equitable-distribution laws, and a military pension can be one of the largest assets to divide. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves clients in Manassas Park from its Fairfax Location and understands how these overlapping rules apply in the local courts. To discuss your situation, contact the firm at (888) 437-7747.

Last reviewed: July 2026

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What Service Member Divorce Means in Manassas Park

Manassas Park family law matters are heard in the Circuit Court for divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support, and in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for standalone custody, visitation, and child-support issues. The courthouse for both courts is located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110. Attorneys appearing in those courtrooms must be familiar not only with Virginia domestic-relations statutes but also with federal protections that apply when one spouse is on active duty.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) allows a service member to request a stay—a temporary pause—of divorce proceedings if military duties materially affect the ability to participate in the case. A stay can be granted for an initial period of at least 90 days, with the possibility of additional time. This protection influences case timelines and strategy from the earliest stages of a divorce. In addition, the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA) permits Virginia courts to treat military retired pay as marital property subject to division under Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable-distribution statute. The proper valuation and division of a military pension requires careful preparation, especially when the service member has not yet retired.

Virginia is an equitable-distribution state. Marital property—including the marital share of a military pension—is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The court considers factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions to the family’s well-being, and the circumstances that led to the divorce. For a Manassas Park service member or spouse, it is important to work with counsel who understands both the state statutory framework and the federal overlay that military service introduces.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Service Member Divorce Cases

Service member divorces often begin with a question of jurisdiction. A Virginia court may hear the case if at least one party has been a bona fide resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth for six months, as required by Va. Code § 20-97. Active-duty personnel stationed in Virginia may meet that requirement even if they retain a home of record in another state, but the analysis is fact-specific. The first step is always to confirm that the Manassas Park Circuit Court has authority over the marriage.

Once jurisdiction is established, the focus shifts to the substantive issues: grounds for divorce, custody and parenting-time arrangements that account for deployment and relocation, spousal support, and property division. Under Va. Code § 20-91, a divorce may be based on fault grounds—including adultery, cruelty, or desertion—or on no-fault grounds after a separation period. If the parties have no minor children and have signed a separation agreement, the separation period is six months; otherwise it is one year. Because a service member may be deployed during the separation, the team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. works to structure temporary support and custody orders that accommodate military schedules while protecting the interests of the non-military spouse and any children.

Military retired pay is divided through a detailed process that culminates in a court order acceptable to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys assist clients in obtaining the necessary documentation of military earnings and in drafting orders that comply with DFAS requirements. Throughout the case, the team remains alert to SCRA protections that may entitle a service-member client to a stay or to a default-judgment safeguard, ensuring that no procedural right is overlooked.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997 and is a former prosecutor. His background equips him with courtroom experience and an understanding of how the other side builds its case. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring experience across multiple practice areas, including criminal defense, family law, and complex litigation. Together, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys provide multi-state representation to clients in Manassas Park and throughout Northern Virginia. The firm maintains a location in Fairfax, Virginia, and serves the communities of Prince William County and the surrounding areas. To request a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does military service affect a divorce in Manassas Park, Virginia?

Military service can affect a divorce by introducing SCRA stays, jurisdictional questions, unique property-division rules for military pensions, and deployment-related custody issues. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may allow a service member to delay proceedings if duty prevents participation. The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act lets Virginia courts divide military retired pay as marital property. Deployment schedules can influence custody and parenting-time orders. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these overlapping state and federal rules in the Manassas Park Circuit Court.

Can I file for divorce while my spouse is deployed?

Yes, you may file for divorce while your spouse is deployed, but the deployed service member may be entitled to a stay of proceedings under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The stay can be granted for at least 90 days if the military duties materially affect the service member’s ability to participate. The court also has discretion to extend the stay. Filing while a spouse is deployed raises service-of-process challenges and can affect temporary custody and support orders. Legal guidance helps ensure the filing is procedurally sound and that both parties’ rights are protected.

How is a military pension divided in a Virginia divorce?

Virginia treats the marital share of a military pension as property subject to equitable distribution under Va. Code § 20-107.3. The court may award a percentage of the disposable retired pay to the non-military spouse. For the award to be enforceable, the final order must meet the requirements of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Valuation of the marital share involves calculating the length of the marriage overlapping with creditable military service. Because the process is technical, counsel experienced in service member divorce can help draft an order that DFAS will accept.

What are the residency requirements for a service member to divorce in Manassas Park?

Under Va. Code § 20-97, at least one party must be a bona fide resident and domiciliary of Virginia for at least six months before filing. A service member stationed in Virginia may satisfy the residency requirement even if the member maintains a home of record elsewhere, provided there is sufficient evidence of intent to remain in Virginia. The determination is fact-specific and may require documentation of military orders, housing arrangements, and ties to the Commonwealth. The Manassas Park Circuit Court is the proper venue for divorces when the jurisdictional prerequisites are met.

Do I need a lawyer for a service member divorce in Manassas Park?

While Virginia law does not require you to have a lawyer for divorce, service member divorces involve federal and state laws that can be difficult to manage without legal guidance. Military pension division, SCRA stays, deployment-related custody arrangements, and jurisdictional questions all add complexity. An attorney can help you understand the timeline, protect your interests, and work toward an outcome that addresses both the short-term needs of your family and the long-term disposition of military benefits. For a consultation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Primary-Source Legal Information:
Virginia Code Title 20 — Domestic Relations
Virginia’s Judicial System

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