Monday - Friday8:30AM - 5PM
OfficesFairfax | Manassas
Family Law Attorneys · Columbia Pike, Virginia
When a marriage crosses borders, so does the divorce.
Columbia Pike is one of the most international corridors in Virginia. Many couples married abroad, have family in another country, or have a spouse living overseas. A divorce here can still proceed in Virginia, and we help Columbia Pike families through it, with the case heard at the Arlington County Justice Center. Reach us when you are ready.
A first call is calm, and it is free.
You Are Not Alone
Along Columbia Pike, families come from all over the world, and many are facing this far from where they began. None of them do it alone, and neither will you.
6 mo.
Virginia residency lets you file even if you married abroad
Va. Code § 20-97
Overseas
a spouse living in another country can still be served
International service
17th
Judicial Circuit, where Arlington cases are decided
Arlington County Circuit Court
50+
years of combined family law practice
Three Northern Virginia offices
What We Handle
Family law help for Columbia Pike families.
When a marriage or a spouse reaches across borders, the divorce has extra steps, jurisdiction, service, and sometimes a foreign document or two. Here is the work we take on.
Looking for a family law attorney near Columbia Pike? NOVA Legal Professionals helps Columbia Pike families with international and cross-border divorce, custody, support, and property, with cases at the Arlington County Justice Center. Talk with an attorney at 571.260.0999.
01 /
The matter that crosses borders.
01
Contested Divorce
When you and your spouse cannot agree, an Arlington judge decides. We build the case, negotiate where we can, and try it when settlement is off the table.
When You Cannot Agree 02Equitable Distribution
Virginia divides marital property by what is fair, not a flat half. We work every factor so the division reflects your marriage.
Fair, Not Equal 03Asset Division
Accounts and property here and abroad still have to be identified and valued. We work to bring foreign assets into the picture so the division is complete.
The Marital Estate 04Separation Agreements
A clear separation agreement settles property, support, and parenting across borders. We draft yours so it holds up even when one spouse lives overseas.
First Protection 05Child Support
Child support follows the state guideline. When one parent lives abroad, we work through how income is proven and how an order is enforced.
Guideline & Beyond 06Custody & Parenting
When a parent or child has ties to another country, custody needs careful planning. We build plans that address travel, passports, and the risk of a wrongful removal.
Parenting Time 07Spousal Support
Spousal support steadies a household while it resets. Whether you would pay or receive it, we work toward a fair amount and a fair term.
Maintenance 08Military Divorce
Arlington sits beside the Pentagon and a deep federal bench. We divide military and federal retirement, survivor benefits included, by their own rules.
Service MembersWhere Your Case Is Heard
Where a Columbia Pike case is heard.
Columbia Pike runs through the heart of Arlington, minutes from the courthouse. A divorce is filed in the Arlington County Circuit Court; custody and support on their own go to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, both inside the Arlington County Justice Center at 1425 North Courthouse Road.
Circuit Court
Arlington County Circuit Court
17th Judicial Circuit
HearsThe divorce and property division, even when one spouse lives abroad.
DecidesEquitable distribution, plus support and custody when part of the divorce.
Where1425 North Courthouse Road, in the Courthouse neighborhood, the 17th Judicial Circuit.
NoteServing a spouse overseas can take time, so we start it early.
J&DR Court
Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court
Family matters outside a divorce
HearsCustody, visitation, child support, and protective orders on their own.
StartMost cases open at the intake desk before a hearing is set.
WhereThe same Justice Center on North Courthouse Road, Suite 4100.
NoteYou file where you and your spouse last lived together, which for Arlington couples is Arlington.
Alisa Chunephisal, Esq.Family Law Attorney
Attorney Insights
What I tell Columbia Pike clients about borders.
A border does not close the courthouse door. If you meet Virginia's residency rule, your divorce can move forward here, wherever your spouse is.
- 1
Virginia can divorce a foreign marriage
If you meet the six-month residency rule, a Virginia court can grant your divorce even if you married in another country. The marriage is generally recognized; the divorce simply follows Virginia law.
- 2
Serving a spouse overseas takes planning
A spouse in another country still has to be properly served, sometimes through international procedures that take time. We start that early so it does not stall your case.
- 3
Protect against a wrongful removal
When a child has strong ties abroad, we address passports, travel consent, and safeguards in the custody order, so a visit does not become a removal you cannot undo.
Why Families Trust Us
Help across borders.
When a marriage or a spouse spans more than one country, you want counsel who knows how Virginia handles the international pieces.
Experience
50+
Years Combined
Years of handling international and cross-border matters for Arlington families.
Expertise
100%
Family Law Focus
Family law is the whole practice, cross-border cases included.
Authority
AV
Preeminent Rated
Peer rated AV Preeminent, listed in Super Lawyers, and rated 10.0 on Avvo.
Trust
5★
Verified Reviews
Verified five star reviews from Columbia Pike families and others across Northern Virginia.
Recognition
Recognition that travels.
We have helped Columbia Pike families divorce across borders, serving a spouse overseas, bringing foreign assets into view, and protecting children with international ties.
Our commitment to Columbia Pike
From Our Clients
Columbia Pike families in their own words.
Read what Columbia Pike clients have shared about a cross-border case with our attorneys.
Questions People Actually Ask
Plain answers, about a cross-border divorce.
These are the questions Columbia Pike clients ask first. If yours is not here, just ask.
Have a question about a cross-border divorce?Call 571.260.0999 or send us a message.
Can I divorce in Virginia if we married abroad?
Usually yes. If you meet Virginia's six-month residency rule, a Virginia court can grant your divorce even if the marriage took place in another country. The foreign marriage is generally recognized, and the divorce proceeds under Virginia law.
How do I divorce a spouse living overseas?
You can, but the spouse must be properly served, sometimes through international procedures that take longer than local service. We start that process early so it does not delay the rest of your case.
What about property in another country?
Assets abroad can still be part of the marital estate. Proving and valuing them is harder, and a Virginia court's reach over foreign property has limits, so we plan how to account for them in the overall division.
Can my child be taken to another country?
It is a real concern when a parent has ties abroad. We address passports, written travel consent, and safeguards in the custody order, and there are legal tools to respond if a wrongful removal is threatened or happens.
Where is a Columbia Pike divorce filed?
In the Arlington County Circuit Court at the Justice Center, 1425 North Courthouse Road, the 17th Judicial Circuit. Custody or support on their own start at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in the same building.
Before You Decide
Reading before you file.
Plain English guides Columbia Pike clients reach for most as they get started.
A
How Do I Get a Divorce in Virginia?
The plain English overview of grounds, timelines, and the steps to a final decree.
Virginia GuideBWho Pays the Bills?
How couples handle the mortgage, the cards, and everyday costs during a separation.
SeparationCWhat to Expect in an Uncontested Divorce
The requirements, the timeline, and what makes a Virginia divorce uncontested.
Virginia GuideWhen You Are Ready
When you are ready, let's bridge the distance.
Tell us where you, your spouse, and your assets are, and we will help you move your Columbia Pike divorce forward.