Manassas, Virginia · No-Fault Divorce
Most people in Manassas who divorce do so the no-fault way: no blame, no airing of grievances, just living apart for the required time and then ending it. It is the simplest, calmest path the law offers. Let me walk you through how it works, the two timelines, and what you need to have in place before you file.
By Alisa Chunephisal, Esq. · Founding Partner, NOVA Legal Professionals
This article is one part of our larger divorce guide. For the full picture, start with our cornerstone, Divorce in Virginia. Here, I will focus on the no-fault path in Manassas.
What no-fault means
A no-fault divorce does not blame either spouse. Under Va. Code § 20-91(A)(9), you qualify by living separate and apart for the required time, with at least one spouse intending the separation to be permanent. You do not have to prove adultery, cruelty, or anything else. That is why it is the path most Manassas couples take.
The two timelines
There are two waiting periods. If you have no minor children and a signed separation agreement, the wait is six months. In every other case, including any couple with minor children, the wait is one full year. You also have to meet Virginia’s residency rule under Va. Code § 20-97, which requires one spouse to have lived in the state for at least six months before filing.
A Word About the Separation Agreement
The six-month track is only open if you have a signed separation agreement, and even on the one-year track, an agreement is what lets you finish quickly and quietly. A written, signed agreement is enforceable under Va. Code § 20-155. Settle your terms in writing, and the divorce itself becomes paperwork. Without one, the same case can turn into a fight.
Thinking about a no-fault divorce in Manassas?
A short conversation can map out your timeline and what to put in your agreement. No pressure, no commitment.
How it gets finished
When the waiting period is met and your agreement is signed, a no-fault divorce is usually finalized on written affidavits with a corroborating witness, often with no courtroom appearance at all. Virginia requires that the separation be corroborated under Va. Code § 20-99, so you will need one other person who can confirm you lived apart for the required time. For the full streamlined process, see our no-fault divorce page.
Where a Manassas case is filed
A Manassas divorce is filed in the Prince William County Circuit Court, the 31st Judicial Circuit, at the Prince William Judicial Center, 9311 Lee Avenue in Manassas. That same court serves the City of Manassas, the City of Manassas Park, and Prince William County. Our Manassas office sits on Center Street, a short walk from the Judicial Center, so this is the courthouse we work in most weeks.
“No-fault is not a loophole. It is the calm, ordinary way most people end a marriage. The agreement is what makes it smooth, not the grounds.”
Alisa Chunephisal, Esq. · Founding Partner
Alisa’s Practical Advice
Three habits make a Manassas no-fault divorce go smoothly. First, fix your separation date in writing the day you separate, because that date starts your clock. Second, use the waiting period to build a complete separation agreement, since that is what turns the final step into paperwork. Third, line up your corroborating witness early, so nothing stalls when you are ready to file. Do those three, and the process tends to take care of itself.
The work is in the agreement and the timeline. Get those right and the divorce is the easy part.
Authoritative References
Sources
- Code of Virginia, § 20-91(A)(9). No-fault ground for divorce and the required periods of living separate and apart. law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20
- Code of Virginia, § 20-97. Residency requirement for divorce in Virginia. law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20
- Code of Virginia, §§ 20-99 and 20-155. Corroboration of grounds in divorce suits, and enforceability of a written, signed marital agreement. law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20
- Prince William County Circuit Court (31st Judicial Circuit). Divorce filing at the Prince William Judicial Center, serving Manassas. pwcva.gov/department/circuit-court
Statutory rules verified against the current Code of Virginia as of June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to be separated for a no-fault divorce in Manassas?
Six months if you have no minor children and a signed separation agreement, or one full year in every other case, including any couple with minor children. The period is counted from your date of separation under Va. Code § 20-91(A)(9), so fixing that date clearly is important.
Do I need a separation agreement?
You need one to use the six-month track, and it is strongly recommended on the one-year track too. A written, signed agreement is enforceable under Va. Code § 20-155 and settles property, support, and any parenting terms in advance. With everything agreed in writing, the divorce itself becomes a paperwork step rather than a dispute.
Do I have to go to court for a no-fault divorce?
Often not. When the waiting period is met and everything is agreed, a no-fault divorce in Virginia is usually finalized on written affidavits with a corroborating witness, frequently with no courtroom appearance. The signed agreement and a proposed final decree go to the court for the judge to review and sign.
Where do I file for divorce if I live in Manassas?
In the Prince William County Circuit Court, the 31st Judicial Circuit, at the Prince William Judicial Center, 9311 Lee Avenue in Manassas. The same court serves the City of Manassas, the City of Manassas Park, and Prince William County, so Manassas, Manassas Park, and county residents all file there.
Do I need a witness for a no-fault divorce?
Yes. Under Va. Code § 20-99, a Virginia court cannot grant a divorce on the spouses’ testimony alone. You need one other person, often a friend, relative, or neighbor, who can confirm that you lived separate and apart for the required time. Identifying that witness early keeps the final step from being delayed.
When You Are Ready
Let’s map out your no-fault divorce in Manassas.
Tell me where things stand, and I will help you set your timeline, build your agreement, and finish cleanly. The first call is a conversation, not a commitment.
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