Monday - Friday8:30AM - 5PM
OfficesFairfax | Manassas
Family Law Attorneys · Bull Run, Virginia
Not every dangerous person is family.
If someone outside your household, a neighbor, a coworker, an acquaintance, or a stranger, has stalked, assaulted, or threatened you near Bull Run, Virginia has a protective order built for exactly that. It can order them to leave you alone and stay away, and it can be in place quickly. We help you seek one, or respond to one, with the case heard in Prince William County. Reach us when you are ready.
If you are in danger right now, call 911 before anything else.
You Are Not Alone
Around Bull Run, more people than you would guess have asked a court to make someone stay away. None of them did it alone, and you will not have to either.
3 steps
emergency, preliminary, and a longer protective order
Va. Code § 19.2-152.10
Same day
an emergency order can be issued right away
Emergency protective order
2 years
a protective order for stalking or assault can last up to two years
Va. Code § 19.2-152.10
50+
years of combined family law practice
Three Northern Virginia offices
What We Handle
Family law help for Bull Run families.
When the danger comes from someone outside your home, the protective order works a little differently, and the timing is urgent. Here is the work we take on, whether you need protection or have been served.
Looking for a family law attorney near Bull Run? NOVA Legal Professionals helps Bull Run clients with stalking and assault protective orders, family safety, custody, divorce, child support, and spousal support. Talk with an attorney at 571.260.0999.
01 /
The matter that has you looking over your shoulder.
01
Contested Divorce
When safety overlaps with a divorce or custody case, a Prince William judge can act on both. We prepare the case and seek the protections you need in Manassas.
When You Cannot Agree 02Equitable Distribution
Virginia divides marital property by fairness, not a flat half. We work the statutory factors so the division reflects the life you built, safely and fully.
Fair, Not Equal 03Asset Division
The house, the accounts, the cars, and the retirement, we identify and value every marital asset so the division is clear and final.
The Marital Estate 04Separation Agreements
A clear separation agreement settles property, support, and parenting. When safety is a factor, we build the right protections into the terms.
First Protection 05Child Support
Child support follows the state guideline, built on both incomes and the custody schedule. We make sure the inputs are right so the number is fair.
Guideline & Beyond 06Custody & Parenting
When someone poses a risk to your children, custody has to reflect that. We pursue the parenting terms and protections your children need to stay safe.
Parenting Time 07Spousal Support
Spousal support turns on income, need, and the length of the marriage. We handle it alongside any safety concerns in the case.
Maintenance 08Military Divorce
Some Bull Run families include a service member or federal worker. We divide military and federal retirement, survivor benefits included, by their own rules.
Service MembersWhere Your Case Is Heard
Where a Bull Run case is heard.
Bull Run is part of Prince William County, so a case here is heard in the county courts in Manassas. A stalking or assault protective order against someone outside your family usually starts with an emergency order, then a hearing in the General District Court; family abuse orders run through the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, both at the Judicial Center on Lee Avenue.
Circuit Court
Prince William County Circuit Court
31st Judicial Circuit
HearsThe divorce, property division, and safety issues raised within it.
DecidesEquitable distribution, with custody and support when part of the divorce.
WhereThe Judicial Center at 9311 Lee Avenue in Manassas, south of Bull Run.
NoteAppeals of a protective order can be heard here as well.
J&DR Court
Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court
Family matters outside a divorce
HearsFamily abuse protective orders, plus custody, visitation, and support.
StartAn emergency order can come through a magistrate, then a hearing follows.
WhereAt the Judicial Center on Lee Avenue in Manassas, with the General District Court nearby.
NoteA stalking or assault order against a non-family member is filed in the General District Court.
Alisa Chunephisal, Esq.Family Law Attorney
Attorney Insights
What I tell Bull Run clients about non-family orders.
A protective order is not only for family. If someone outside your home has made you afraid, the law can order them to stay away.
- 1
There is an order for non-family threats
If the person is not a family or household member, a neighbor, a coworker, a stranger, you can still get a protective order for stalking, an assault, or a threat. It can be issued quickly and can last up to two years.
- 2
Where you file depends on the relationship
A stalking or assault order against a non-family member is filed in the General District Court. A family abuse order against a relative or household member runs through the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. We make sure you start in the right place.
- 3
Being served has real consequences
If you have been served with an order, it can affect your firearm rights, your record, and where you can go. The hearing matters, so do not face it without counsel.
Why Families Trust Us
Help when someone will not leave you alone.
When a stalker or an attacker is the problem, you want counsel that moves quickly and knows which court to use.
Experience
50+
Years Combined
Years of handling protective orders and safety matters for Bull Run clients.
Expertise
100%
Family Law Focus
Family law is the whole practice, protective orders and custody 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 Bull Run families and others across Prince William County.
Recognition
Recognition you can lean on.
We have helped Bull Run clients get the court's protection from people outside their homes, neighbors, coworkers, strangers, and respond when they were the one served.
Our commitment to Bull Run
From Our Clients
Bull Run clients in their own words.
Read what Bull Run clients have shared about protective orders and family safety with our attorneys.
Questions People Actually Ask
Plain answers, about getting protection.
These are the questions Bull Run clients ask first. If yours is not here, just ask.
In an emergency, always call 911 first.Call 571.260.0999 or send us a message.
Can I get a protective order against someone who is not family?
Yes. If a neighbor, coworker, acquaintance, or stranger has stalked, assaulted, or threatened you, Virginia offers a protective order for exactly that. It can order them to have no contact and stay away, and it can last up to two years.
How fast can I get one?
An emergency protective order can be issued right away, often the same day, through a magistrate or law enforcement. A preliminary order bridges to a full hearing, where a judge can enter a longer order. If you are in danger right now, call 911 first.
Which court handles it?
A stalking or assault order against a non-family member is filed in the Prince William General District Court at the Judicial Center on Lee Avenue in Manassas. A family abuse order against a relative or household member goes to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court nearby.
I was served with one. What should I do?
Take it seriously and get counsel before the hearing. A protective order can affect your firearm rights, your record, and where you are allowed to go. You have the right to be heard, so do not walk in alone.
What is the difference between this and a family order?
The relationship. A family abuse protective order covers a current or former family or household member. A stalking or assault order covers everyone else, a neighbor, a coworker, or a stranger. The protections are similar; the court and the statute differ.
Before You Decide
Reading on staying safe.
Plain English guides Bull Run clients reach for most when safety is the concern.
A
Stalking and Assault Orders in Bull Run
Who qualifies, what an order can require, and how the emergency version works.
Bull Run GuideBFamily Abuse Protective Orders
How the order works when the danger comes from a family or household member.
Protective OrdersCFamily Law in Prince William
The plain English guide to divorce, custody, support, and the Manassas courts.
PW GuideWhen You Are Ready
When you are ready, let's make it stop.
Tell us what is going on near Bull Run, and we will help you get the court's protection or respond to an order.