Alexandria, Virginia Family Law Attorney

Gabrielle Best Husband | G. Best Husband Law, PLLC

"Alexandria" means two different things on a map. One is the City of Alexandria, with its own courthouse on King Street. The other covers a large stretch of Fairfax County that just shares the mailing address. Knowing which one you live in decides where your family case is heard. I help people in both, with private, discreet counsel for divorce, custody, and support, and an open conversation about fees at your consultation.

This page is general information, not legal advice.

Family law matters I handle in Alexandria

• Divorce, contested and uncontested, including dividing a home, retirement savings, and debt. See Divorce.
• Child custody and visitation, including parenting plans and modifications. See Child Custody.
• Child support, new orders and modifications. See Child Support.
• Spousal support, temporary and final. See Know Your Worth: Spousal Support in Virginia and D.C.
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. See Why a Prenuptial Agreement Is the Most Romantic Gift.
• Protective orders. See Protective Orders.
• Mediation support: preparing you for mediation and reviewing any agreement before you sign. See Choosing Peace: When Mediation Can Support a Divorce.

City of Alexandria courts

Both family courts are in the Alexandria Courthouse in Old Town, a few blocks from the King Street–Old Town Metro station.

Alexandria Circuit Court (18th Judicial Circuit)

520 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Clerk's Office: (703) 746-4044

Hears divorce cases, including property division, spousal support, and custody and support that are part of a divorce.

Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (J&DR)

520 King Street, 1st Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314

Clerk's Office: (703) 746-4141

Hears custody, visitation, and support petitions when no divorce is pending, plus protective orders.

What to know about family cases in Alexandria

1. 1. City address or county address? It decides your courthouse. The City of Alexandria is an independent city. If you live in the city, for example in Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Parker-Gray, Carlyle, Potomac Yard, Arlandria, Seminary Hill, or the West End, your case generally goes to the courts at 520 King Street. Many neighborhoods with an "Alexandria, VA" mailing address are actually in Fairfax County, such as Mount Vernon, Fort Hunt, Belle Haven, Huntington, Hybla Valley, Groveton, Franconia, Kingstowne, and Rose Hill. Their cases go to the Fairfax courts at 4110 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. Fairfax J&DR also offers Wednesday intake appointments for civil and preliminary protective order matters at 8350 Richmond Highway, Suite 119, Alexandria, VA 22309. Not sure which applies to you? Your real estate tax bill or voter registration will show whether you're in the city or the county. See my Fairfax County page.

1. 2. Alexandria Circuit moves contested cases toward a trial date. According to the court's posted procedures, the court sends notice of a status conference about four months after a suit is filed, and that's where a trial date is set. If you're filing a divorce, expect to have your financial picture organized by then. Uncontested divorces heard in person are set on the morning docket.

1. 3. J&DR is often the first step for parents. If you're separated or never married and need a custody, visitation, or support order, a J&DR petition doesn't require a divorce filing or any waiting period. If a divorce is filed later and custody or support is set for a circuit court hearing within 21 days, the circuit court generally takes those issues over (Va. Code § 16.1-244).

1. 4. Next door to DC. Many Alexandria families commute into the District or have a co-parent there. When parents live on opposite sides of the river, which court can decide custody usually depends on the child's home state, generally where the child has lived for the six months before filing (Va. Code § 20-146.12; D.C. Code § 16-4602.01). I'm licensed in both Virginia and DC, so I can look at both sides of that question.

1. 5. The family home. For many Alexandria couples, the house is the largest asset. Virginia divides marital property through equitable distribution, which isn't automatically 50/50 (Va. Code § 20-107.3). While the case is pending, the court can also decide who stays in the home (Va. Code § 20-103). See Dividing Assets Without Dividing Peace.

Communities I serve

City of Alexandria: Old Town, North Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Parker-Gray, Carlyle, Eisenhower Valley, Potomac Yard, Arlandria, Beverly Hills, Seminary Hill, Taylor Run, Cameron Station, and the West End.

Fairfax County neighborhoods with Alexandria addresses (Fairfax courts): Mount Vernon, Fort Hunt, Belle Haven, Huntington, Hybla Valley, Groveton, Franconia, Kingstowne, and Rose Hill.

What to expect when you contact me

1. 1. Call or book online. Reach me at (844) 640-6100 or schedule a consultation.
2. 2. Strategy session. We'll confirm whether your case belongs in Alexandria, Fairfax, or DC, then talk through your goals and options. My post How to Prepare for Your Family Law Consultation can help.
3. 3. A clear plan and an open conversation about fees. We'll discuss fees and the scope of the work at your consultation, so you can decide on next steps with confidence.

Virginia office (by appointment)

G. Best Husband Law, PLLC

1750 Tysons Blvd., Suite 1500

McLean, VA 22102

(844) 640-6100 | By appointment only

If your case also involves the District, I also meet clients by appointment at my DC office, 300 New Jersey Ave NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20001.

Frequently asked questions

My address says Alexandria. Which court handles my divorce?

It depends on whether you live in the City of Alexandria or in Fairfax County. City residents file at the Alexandria Circuit Court, 520 King Street. Residents of Fairfax County neighborhoods with Alexandria addresses, such as Mount Vernon or Kingstowne, file at the Fairfax Circuit Court, 4110 Chain Bridge Road.

Do I have to be divorced to get a custody order in Alexandria?

No. Parents can file custody, visitation, and support petitions in the Alexandria J&DR Court whether or not they were married and whether or not a divorce has been filed.

My spouse moved to DC. Can I still file in Alexandria?

Often, yes, if at least one spouse meets Virginia's six-month residency requirement (Va. Code § 20-97) and Alexandria is the right venue. Custody may follow different rules than the divorce itself, based on where your child has lived.

Ready to talk?

Facing a divorce, custody, or support issue in Alexandria? Call (844) 640-6100 or schedule your consultation. You can also reach me through my contact page.

The information on this page is general information, not legal advice, and contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please don't send confidential details until we've confirmed we can represent you.

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