how to file for divorce in va without a lawyer paperwork

by Gia Zboncak DDS 10 min read

File for a divorce without an attorney in the State of Virginia. Using the Virginia Online Divorce assistance service, you can get your uncontested divorce forms completed in a fast and low-cost way. Get Your Divorce Forms Completed Online With VirginiaOnlineDivorce.com, you will get a completed divorce paperwork within a couple of days.

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How do I file for a divorce in Virginia?

Jul 14, 2021 · Some divorces can be messy and require an experienced lawyer. However, if you and your spouse agree to an uncontested divorce in the state of Virginia, you may be able to file for divorce without the need for an attorney. In order to obtain a divorce in the state of Virginia without an attorney, you have to follow the steps outlined below.

Can you file for divorce without a lawyer in Virginia?

Determine where you are going to file. File the forms and serve the other party. Request and attend a hearing or alternatively file an affidavit. Obtain a final order from the judge.

How do I file for divorce in Texas without a lawyer?

Nov 22, 2021 · Completely fill out the Bill of Complaint for Divorce and make at least two copies to submit to the county circuit court where you or your spouse resides. You must also fill out a VS-4 State Statistical Form and submit it along with the complaint. A filing fee must also be provided at the time of complaint submission.

How do I get a no-fault divorce in Virginia?

We have designed an online interview to see if your circumstances might be appropriate for filing for a divorce without an attorney. Start the Interview. You can read more about the interview and find other resources on divorce below. You may also want to call your local legal aid office to see if you qualify for free legal help.

Can I file my own divorce papers in VA?

You can choose the do-it-yourself option, which requires finding or creating all of the forms you need, filling them out yourself, and following Virginia's legal requirements for filing the divorce papers and taking the next steps.

Can you get a divorce without the other person signing the papers?

Unopposed divorces An uncontested divorce can arise in two instances, the first being a situation where the sheriff has served the summons, and your spouse fails to defend the action. In this instance, the court may grant you a decree of divorce by default.Aug 7, 2019

Can you get a divorce without going to court in Virginia?

Do You Have to Go to Court for an Uncontested Divorce? No, a court appearance is not required for an uncontested divorce. The Law Office of Michael Ephraim will prepare the required documents for you and your spouse to sign, and handle all document filings with the court.Feb 8, 2022

Can you get a divorce without the other person signing the papers in Virginia?

Whether it is a fault or no-fault divorce, you do not need your spouse's signature or verbal agreement to file. Once you file the complaint and the divorce is opened with the court, your spouse will be served with the complaint and will have 21 days to respond.

Can I get a divorce without my spouse knowing?

Overview: It is not necessary that both the spouses have to agree to file for a divorce. One of them may file for a divorce without the others' consent if they are sure that they have strong grounds for breakdown of the marriage.

Can my wife divorce me without me knowing?

Now, though, it's possible to file for divorce even when you don't know where your spouse is. The only catch is that you can't get a divorce without at least attempting to formally notify your spouse about the proceedings.

How do I start the divorce process in Virginia?

The 6 Steps to an Uncontested Divorce in VirginiaStep 1: Residency Requirement. ... Step 2: Determine Your Eligibility for an Uncontested Divorce in Virginia. ... Step 3: Requirements to Have Your Divorce Heard. ... Step 4: Provide Notice to the Other Party. ... Step 5: Decide on How You Want Your Divorce Heard.More items...•Mar 25, 2016

How do I file separation papers in Virginia?

Here are your options for establishing a date of separation in a Virginia divorce.Enter into a “Separation Agreement” with Your Spouse. ... Announce Your Intention to Seek a Divorce After Moving Out. ... Announce Your Intention to Seek a Divorce While Still Living Together. ... Contact a Divorce Lawyer in Virginia.Jun 25, 2018

How can I get a quick divorce in Virginia?

In Virginia, the quickest divorces are uncontested. State laws dictate you must be legally separated from your spouse for at least 1 year before you can begin divorce proceedings, but once you have filed for divorce, a simple case can be completed in a matter of months. That being said, most divorces take much longer.Sep 30, 2019

Can you date while separated in VA?

Under Virginia law, you are either married or divorced, so even though you may be separated from your spouse physically, you are still married in the eyes of the law. With that being said, no one can prevent you from dating during your separation.Mar 18, 2019

How much does a divorce cost in VA?

Divorce Filing Fees and Typical Attorney Fees by StateStateAverage Filing FeesVirginiaUse this calculator to find your district's fees.Washington$314West Virginia$134Wisconsin$184.50 (with no child support or alimony), $194.50 (with child support or alimony)48 more rows•Jul 21, 2020

Is it adultery if you are separated in Virginia?

In Virginia, you are still married until you are divorced. If you are having sex with your date, you are committing adultery. Although it is considered “post separation adultery” it is still a fault-based ground for divorce, and it is a crime.Oct 14, 2019

What are the two types of divorce in Virginia?

There are two types of divorce in Virginia: “Fault” and “No-fault”.

How long do you have to be separated to get a divorce in Virginia?

o On the other hand, to get a “no-fault” divorce in Virginia, you only need to prove: that you’ve been separated for at least a year, or. if you and your spouse don’t have any minor children together AND you’ve both signed a Separation Agreement – that you’ve been separated for at least 6 months.

How to file for divorce in Virginia?

To start a divorce in Virginia, fill out and file a Bill of Complaint for Divorce in a county circuit court. You must make at least two copies of the complaint and submit them to the county circuit court where you or your spouse lives. You will also need to complete a VS-4 State Statistical Form and a Cover Sheet for Filing Civil Actions ...

How much does it cost to get divorced in Virginia?

The filing fee for a divorce in Virginia runs from $150 to $290 depending on the county where you file. In addition, you will also have to pay a fee to have your spouse served by one of several methods. Depending on the method this will run an additional $25 to $100. Most of the time, having a county sheriff complete service is ...

Why does a divorce take so long?

Contested fault-based divorces take more time, because proof of the ground being claimed requires proof to be submitted and verified. In cases where there are disagreements about a division of assets, child support, custody, alimony and other issues, a divorce could take much longer and will be more complicated.

How long do you have to live apart in Virginia for divorce?

In an uncontested divorce in Virginia, it is required that you live apart from your spouse for at least one year before you can file paperwork. This length of time is reduced to six months if you have no minor children and you have a signed separation agreement.

What is the fault based ground for divorce?

This could help in a divorce if adultery is the stated fault-based ground for the divorce. If the husband is the father of the child, then part of the divorce settlement will need to include child support, custody and visitation issues to be resolved.

How long do you have to stay in Virginia to get a military license?

Military members are exempted from this requirement and meet the residency requirement as long as he or she has been stationed in Virginia for at least six months regardless of whether or not they intend to stay in the state for any amount of time.

Do you have to serve copies of divorce papers in Virginia?

Just as in a civilian divorce, once paperwork has been filed in Virginia to begin a divorce, copies must be served on a spouse to give him or her a chance to respond. However, when that spouse is in the military, they have certain protections afforded to them by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

Where do you file for divorce in Virginia?

If you are the one filing for divorce, you may file in Circuit Court in the county where your spouse lives, or where you and your spouse last lived together. If your spouse is not a Virginia resident, you will file in the county where you reside.

How long do you have to be a resident of Virginia to file for divorce?

Residency and Where to File. In order to file for divorce in Virginia, either you or your spouse must be domiciled in Virginia for at least 6 months. Your domicile is your primary residence. You may be a resident of more than one state, but may only have one domicile (where you have your driver’s license, car and voter registration, etc.).

What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia?

Grounds for divorce are legally recognized reasons to get a divorce . This is the justification for severing the marital relationship. Virginia, like most states, has what are commonly called no-fault grounds for divorce, and several traditional fault-based grounds.

What is the law in Virginia for divorce?

Learn about Virginia divorce law, including no-fault divorce, property division, alimony, and child custody and support. Whether you live in Virginia or elsewhere, divorce for any married couple will accomplish two things: (1) severing the marital relationship, and (2) dividing assets and debts. If one of them will be unable to be self-supporting ...

What is alimony in Virginia?

Alimony is referred to as maintenance or support in Virginia. Absent an agreement of the parties, the court will determine whether to grant maintenance, as well as the amount and duration of maintenance, based on consideration of the following factors: the obligations, needs, and financial resources of the parties,

What is property division in divorce?

Property Division. A divorce involves dividing property and debts between you and your spouse. Generally, each party will keep his or her separate property, which is property: constituting income from, or increase in value of, separate property (unless from the efforts of the spouse).

What are the circumstances and factors which contributed to the dissolution of the marriage?

the circumstances and factors which contributed to the dissolution of the marriage, how and when specific items of marital property were acquired, each party’s debts and liabilities, the basis for such debts and liabilities, and the property serving as security for debts and liabilities, the liquid or non-liquid character of marital property,

File Your Own Divorce in Virginia: Free Downloadable Divorce Forms

Sadly, over 50% of marriages fail. To add insult to injury, divorce proceedings can take years and cost thousands of dollars in legal fees. However, it is possible to file your own divorce in Virginia for no more than the state divorce form filing fees.

How to file for Divorce in Virginia

Go to http://www.vadivorceonline.com/ for a choice of self-prepared Divorce forms (answer a questionnaire and their software will create the necessary forms), legal technician-prepared Divorce forms (lawyers read your form and check to make sure the forms are complete, there are no spelling errors and no inconsistencies), and a do it yourself kit for getting a Divorce (Getting a Divorce without a lawyer).

What is a divorce in Virginia?

A divorce from bed and board is a partial or qualified divorce under which the parties are legally separated from each other but are not permitted to remarry.

What is marital property in Virginia?

"Marital property" consists of all jointly-titled property as well as all other property, other than separate property, acquired by either or both of the parties from the date of the marriage through the time of the final separation. "Separate property" is property owned by one party prior to the marriage, property acquired after the parties have separated, or inherited property and/or gifts to one party from a third person. Where "marital property" and "separate property" are mixed together or where the value of "separate property" is increased through the active efforts of either party during the marriage, then such property may be classified as "marital property" or as "part marital and part separate" property. In general, debt is considered “marital debt” if it is in the joint names of the parties and was incurred before the date of the last separation of the parties or, for debt that is in only one party’s name, if the debt was incurred after the date of marriage and before the date of the last separation of the parties. On the other hand, “separate debt” is debt incurred in only one party’s name before the marriage or after the date of the final separation of the parties. In determining whether a debt is marital or separate, the court may also consider the reason a debt was incurred.

What happens if one spouse leaves?

Further, if one spouse leaves because the other has committed acts that legally amount to cruelty, then the spouse who leaves is not guilty of desertion. In fact, the spouse who leaves may be awarded a divorce on the ground of cruelty or constructive desertion.

What defenses does a guilty spouse have?

These are very fact specific and should be reviewed with an attorney. c. Conviction of a felony.

Why are annulments not granted?

An annulment cannot be granted merely because the marriage is of short duration, and legal annulments are normally not granted for "religious" reasons. 2.

What happens when a marriage ends in divorce?

Given the percentage of marriages that end in divorce, anyone could be affected in some way by a separation or divorce . Dissolving a marriage often involves property rights and financial matters, and can raise complicated legal problems, especially when children are involved. The Family Law Section of the Virginia State Bar prepared this ...

How does the court determine custody of a minor?

In determining the custody of minor (under 18) children, the court is guided by one standard: the best interest of the child. The court may award "joint legal custody" where both parents have a role in making decisions for the child, or "sole legal custody" where one parent is ultimately responsible for making decisions in the child's best interests. Custody will not be given to a parent as a reward or deprived from a parent as a punishment. Rather, custody will be awarded to the parent who is most adaptable to the task of caring for the child, and who is able to control and direct the child. Further, custody may be changed if there is a material change in circumstances after the date of the divorce.