Military Divorce Lawyer Manassas, VA

For service members and military spouses in Manassas, Virginia, ending a marriage involves not only the standard divorce process but also a layer of federal law that can affect everything from property division to parenting time. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. assist military families with divorces filed in the Manassas area. Manassas is located in the 31st Judicial District of Virginia, and divorce, equitable distribution, and related family-law matters are heard in the Manassas Circuit Court at 9311 Lee Avenue. If you need guidance on the interaction between Virginia divorce law and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) or the division of a military pension, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

What Military Divorce Means in Manassas, Virginia

Military divorce cases in Manassas follow the same Virginia statutory framework as any civilian divorce—filed in the Circuit Court for the substantive divorce and in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for custody, support, and protective orders—with the addition of federal statutes that can change procedural timelines and asset treatment. The Manassas courts serve independent cities and the surrounding Prince William County area, and are centrally located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230.

At least one spouse must meet Virginia’s residency requirement before filing. Under Va. Code § 20-97, the plaintiff or defendant must have been an actual bona fide resident and domiciliary of Virginia for at least six months immediately before the suit is commenced.

Grounds for divorce include both fault and no-fault options. For a no-fault divorce, the parties must live separate and apart without cohabitation for one year, or for six months if there are no minor children and the parties have signed a separation agreement (Va. Code § 20-91). Fault grounds—such as adultery, cruelty, or desertion—are also available and can affect the division of marital property.

A key distinction in a military case is that the service member may be eligible for a stay of proceedings under the SCRA, which can temporarily halt the case if military duties materially affect the service member’s ability to participate. The division of military retired pay is governed by the federal Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA), which works alongside Virginia’s equitable-distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3). Mr. Sris, who testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635—which revised subsection (g) of § 20-107.3 concerning payment of retirement benefits—brings a working knowledge of how state and federal laws intersect in military property division.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Military Divorce Cases

Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach a military divorce by first identifying which aspects of the case are controlled by Virginia law and which by federal law. The initial consultation addresses the residency of each spouse, the service member’s duty station and deployment timeline, the marital estate—including the classification of military retired pay and Thrift Savings Plan accounts—and any immediate custody or support needs.

Once the jurisdictional and statutory foundation is established, the team works through the equitable-distribution analysis, child-support guidelines (Va. Code § 20-108.1), and the trusted-interests factors for custody (Va. Code § 20-124.3). Where a settlement agreement is possible, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel assist with negotiating and drafting a separation agreement that addresses property division, spousal support, and parenting arrangements consistent with the service member’s career obligations. If the case requires court intervention, the team prepares for litigation in the Manassas Circuit Court or the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, handling issues such as temporary support or custody hearings while a stay under the SCRA is evaluated.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris is Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., practicing since 1997 and admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. A former prosecutor, he brings insight into how legal strategy is constructed and how opposing arguments are framed. In family-law matters, including military divorce, he draws on his extensive experience with complex property division and his direct involvement in the revision of Virginia’s equitable-distribution statute through his testimony before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee on 2019 HB 635.

The Of Counsel team collectively contributes experience across multiple practice areas, supporting Mr. Sris in delivering tailored representation. The team’s familiarity with Virginia’s local courts—including the Manassas Circuit Court and the Manassas Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court—enables them to address procedural requirements and local practice efficiently. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel strive to guide military families through the divorce process while protecting their financial and parental interests.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How does military service affect divorce proceedings in Manassas, Virginia?

Military service can affect divorce proceedings by introducing federal protections under the SCRA and special rules for dividing military retirement pay. A service member may request a stay of the Virginia court proceedings if military duties materially interfere with the ability to participate. The timing of the divorce may also be influenced by deployment or relocation orders. In Manassas, the Circuit Court handles the divorce itself, while the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court addresses custody and support. To discuss the timing considerations in your specific case, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

What happens to a military pension in a Virginia divorce?

Military retired pay is treated as marital property subject to division under Virginia’s equitable-distribution law (Va. Code § 20-107.3). The federal USFSPA permits state courts to divide disposable retired pay if certain jurisdictional requirements are met, such as the service member’s domicile or consent to jurisdiction. The Manassas Circuit Court will classify, value, and distribute the marital share of the pension along with other assets. The 2019 amendment to § 20-107.3(g), which Mr. Sris supported through testimony, addressed procedural aspects of pension-payment orders. For guidance on how your service member’s retirement account may be treated, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Can a deployed service member delay a divorce case?

Yes, under the SCRA, a deployed service member may request a stay of civil court proceedings for at least 90 days if military service materially affects their ability to appear. The court in Manassas must assess the request and may grant additional stays. However, the stay does not permanently bar the case, and a spouse who is not in the military may still proceed under certain circumstances. Having an experienced family-law attorney who understands both the SCRA and local court practice can help clarify the options available. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.

How is child custody determined when a parent is in the military?

Virginia courts apply the same best-interests-of-the-child factors (Va. Code § 20-124.3) regardless of military status, but deployment and relocation obligations are additional factors the court will consider. The Manassas Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court may create a parenting plan that accounts for the service member’s schedule, including provisions for virtual visitation and temporary custody arrangements during deployment. To avoid a permanent loss of parenting rights, it is important to address these issues proactively. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Do I need a military divorce lawyer in Manassas, Virginia?

While you are not required to hire an attorney, consulting a lawyer who is familiar with both Virginia family law and federal military statutes can help you avoid mistakes that affect property division, support, and parenting rights. Issues like the division of a military pension, the SCRA stay, and the calculation of income for support purposes require a working knowledge of more than one body of law. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are available to discuss your case. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.

Visit the following authoritative Virginia resources for additional legal information:
Virginia Code Title 20 (Domestic Relations) —
Manassas Circuit Court —
Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts

Divorce Lawyer Manassas •
Family Law Attorney Prince William County •
Child Custody Lawyer Manassas •
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