Haymarket, Virginia · Spousal Support
In a long marriage where one spouse earns, and the other runs the household or raises the children, spousal support is often the question that matters most. Virginia has no formula for it, the court weighs a list of factors. Let me explain how support is decided, how long it can last, and what a single-income spouse should understand going in.
By Corrie Sirkin, 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 spousal support.
There is no formula
Unlike child support, spousal support in Virginia is not run off a calculator. Under Va. Code § 20-107.1, a court decides whether to award it, how much, and for how long by weighing the factors in subsection E. Those include each spouse’s needs and resources, the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, the age and health of each spouse, and the monetary and non-monetary contributions each made to the family.
Why a long, single-income marriage matters
Two factors tend to carry real weight here: the length of the marriage and how long a spouse has been out of the workforce. A spouse who stepped back from a career to raise children or support the other’s work has a non-monetary contribution the law recognizes, and may need time and support to regain earning power. The longer the marriage and the deeper that gap, the stronger the case for meaningful support.
A Word About the Adultery Bar
Fault can change support. A spouse proven to have committed adultery is generally barred from receiving spousal support, with only a narrow exception where denying it would be a manifest injustice given the parties’ circumstances. In a long marriage with a big income gap, that bar can be the single most consequential issue in the case.
Wondering what support looks like in your case?
A short conversation can give you a realistic read on amount, duration, and the factors that drive it. No pressure, no commitment.
How long support can last
Virginia courts can award support for a defined period, for an undefined period, or as a lump sum, and can combine these. A defined award is meant to give a spouse time to become self-supporting. An undefined award fits situations, often a long marriage, where that is not realistic. The length of the marriage heavily influences which is appropriate. Support set by agreement can also be made modifiable or fixed, which shapes whether it can change later.
Where a Haymarket case is filed
A Haymarket 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. Support can also be set on a temporary basis early in the case while the divorce is pending. For how the rest of the case fits together, see our divorce overview.
“The years you spent raising a family are not invisible to the court. Non-monetary contribution is a real factor, and in a long marriage it carries weight.”
Corrie Sirkin, Esq. · Founding Partner
Corrie’s Practical Advice
Three habits help in a Haymarket support case. First, build a clear, honest budget, because needs and resources are the heart of the analysis, and a credible budget is your strongest evidence. Second, document the non-monetary contributions, the years at home, the career put on hold, since the law counts them but only if they are shown. Third, decide deliberately whether any agreed support should be modifiable, because that choice controls whether it can change if incomes shift later. Preparation, not guesswork, is what produces a fair number.
Support turns on needs, contributions, and the length of the marriage. Prove all three.
Authoritative References
Sources
- Code of Virginia, § 20-107.1. Maintenance and support of spouses, including the subsection E factors, duration options, and the adultery bar with its manifest injustice exception. law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter6/section20-107.1
- Prince William County Circuit Court (31st Judicial Circuit). Divorce and support filing at the Prince William Judicial Center, serving Haymarket. pwcva.gov/department/circuit-court
Statutory rules verified against the current Code of Virginia as of June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a formula for spousal support in Virginia?
No fixed statewide formula governs a final award. Under Va. Code § 20-107.1, the court weighs the factors in subsection E, including each spouse’s needs and resources, the marital standard of living, the length of the marriage, age and health, and each spouse’s contributions. Some courts use guideline figures for temporary support, but the final decision is based on the full set of factors.
Does staying home with the kids count?
Yes. The law expressly counts non-monetary contributions to the family, such as raising children, running the household, or supporting a spouse’s career. In a long single-income marriage, that contribution and the resulting gap in earning power are significant factors. They often support both an award and a longer duration, but they need to be documented and presented, not just assumed.
How long does spousal support last?
It depends. Virginia allows support for a defined period, an undefined period, or as a lump sum, and combinations of these. A defined award gives a spouse time to become self-supporting, while an undefined award fits situations, often long marriages, where that is not realistic. The length of the marriage strongly influences which approach the court considers appropriate.
Can adultery affect spousal support?
Yes. A spouse proven to have committed adultery is generally barred from receiving spousal support, subject to a narrow exception where denying it would be a manifest injustice given the parties’ fault and economic circumstances. In a long marriage with a large income gap, this can be the most consequential issue in the case, which is why it deserves careful attention.
Can spousal support be changed after the divorce?
It can, depending on how it was set. Court-ordered support is generally modifiable on a material change in circumstances, such as a significant income change, retirement, or the recipient’s cohabitation. Support set by agreement can be made modifiable or fixed as non-modifiable, and that choice controls. Deciding this deliberately in any agreement is important, because it determines your future flexibility.
When You Are Ready
Let’s get a clear picture of support in your Haymarket divorce.
Tell me about the marriage, the incomes, and the years at home, and I will help you understand what support is realistic. The first call is a conversation, not a commitment.
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