Adultery in Hanover County, Virginia, is a fault ground for divorce under Va. Code § 20-91(1) with no waiting period; Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 19 documented results in Hanover County, including 9 dismissals and 10 reductions across all practice areas.
Adultery Divorce Lawyer Hanover County, Virginia
Under Virginia law, adultery is a fault ground for divorce under Va. Code § 20-91(1). Unlike no-fault divorce, which requires a 6-month or 1-year separation period, adultery allows you to file for divorce immediately — no waiting period is required. The court considers adultery when determining spousal support, property division, and custody arrangements. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” brings 120+ years combined legal experience to every case.
Last verified: April 2026 | Hanover County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly
For the full text of the adultery divorce statute, see Va. Code § 20-91 (Virginia General Assembly — official site). For equitable distribution rules, see Va. Code § 20-107.3 (Virginia General Assembly — official site).
In Hanover County Circuit Court, prosecutors and judges routinely scrutinize adultery allegations for corroborating evidence. We have observed that the court requires at least one corroborating witness for an uncontested divorce hearing, even in fault-based cases.
- Consult with an experienced adultery divorce lawyer to evaluate your case under Va. Code § 20-91(1).
- File a divorce complaint at Hanover County Circuit Court, 7507 Library Drive, Suite 201, Hanover, VA 23069.
- Serve the complaint on your spouse via sheriff service or private process server.
- Attend all scheduled hearings and negotiate custody, support, and property division.
- Obtain a final divorce decree once all issues are resolved.
In Hanover County, adultery divorce carries no criminal penalties but affects spousal support, property division, and custody under Va. Code § 20-91(1).
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adultery (Fault Ground for Divorce) | Civil — Fault Ground | None | None | None | May affect spousal support, property division, and custody |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the statute that governs equitable distribution in every Virginia divorce.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 19 documented results in Hanover County: 9 dismissed or not guilty, 10 reduced or amended — a favorable-outcome rate of 100% in all reported instances. Results may vary. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.
Our location in Richmond is approximately 20 miles from Hanover County Circuit Court, with access via I-95 and I-295. As an adultery divorce lawyer near Hanover County, we serve the communities of Mechanicsville, Ashland, Atlee, Beaverdam, and Doswell. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Richmond Location: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225 | (804) 201-9009 | By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adultery Divorce in Hanover County
How long does a divorce take in Hanover County, Virginia?
Uncontested divorces in Virginia typically resolve in 2-6 months after filing at Hanover County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court (custody/support/protective orders) and Hanover County Circuit Court (divorce/equitable distribution), depending on mandatory separation periods and court calendar. Contested divorces — with custody, support, or property disputes — routinely take 9-18 months.
Uncontested divorces in Hanover County typically resolve in 2-6 months; contested divorces take 9-18 months.
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.
The Circuit Court filing fee for divorce in Hanover County is approximately $86.
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.
No, Virginia is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state.
How is child custody decided in Hanover County, Virginia?
Custody in Hanover County is based on the experienced 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.
Custody is decided based on the experienced interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3.
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.
Virginia allows no-fault divorce after 6-month or 1-year separation, and fault grounds including adultery with no waiting period.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against adultery divorce charges?
Defense strategies for adultery divorce in Virginia may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under Va. Code § 20-91(1) (adultery as fault ground — no waiting period) to build the strongest possible defense.
Defense strategies include challenging evidence and negotiating under Va. Code § 20-91(1).
What should I do if I am facing adultery divorce charges in Virginia?
If facing adultery divorce charges in Virginia, contact a family law attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer. Preserve all relevant documents and evidence. The statute of limitations and court deadlines under Virginia law require prompt action.
Contact a family law attorney immediately and preserve all relevant documents.
What are the penalties for adultery divorce in Virginia?
Penalties for adultery divorce in Virginia depend on the specific charges, prior record, and circumstances. Under Va. Code § 20-91(1) (adultery as fault ground — no waiting period), consequences may include fines, jail time, probation, or other sanctions. Consult a Virginia family law attorney for case-specific guidance.
Penalties vary under Va. Code § 20-91(1); consult an attorney for case-specific guidance.
For more information about family law in Virginia, visit our Norfolk Military Divorce Lawyer Virginia hub page. You may also be interested in our Family Law Lawyer Albemarle County or Family Law Lawyer Arlington County pages. For related practice areas, see Defamation Lawyer Hanover County or Civil Litigation Lawyer Hanover County.
Last updated: 2026-04-29