Permanent Alimony Lawyer Chesterfield County, VA

You have been married for twenty years, the divorce is moving forward, and your spouse’s attorney is asking the Chesterfield County Circuit Court for permanent alimony. You are worried that after property division and child support, you will still be writing a check every month for the rest of your life. On the other side of the same courtroom, you may be the spouse who gave up a career during the marriage, and now, in your fifties or sixties, you face a job market that has passed you by. Permanent alimony—called indefinite spousal support in Virginia—is one of the most challenging issues a family can face, and the rules in Chesterfield County are grounded in Va. Code § 20‑107.1. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced family law since 1997 and understands how these determinations are made at the 9500 Courthouse Road courthouse. Reach our Richmond location at (888) 437‑7747 to schedule a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

On This Page

What is Permanent Alimony Under Virginia Law?

Virginia courts may order spousal support for a defined period (rehabilitative alimony) or, in limited cases, for an indefinite duration. Indefinite support—often called permanent alimony—is governed by Va. Code § 20‑107.1 and is not automatically awarded in any divorce. The statute directs the judge to consider thirteen factors, including the length of the marriage, the age and physical condition of the parties, the standard of living established during the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the contributions each spouse made to the family’s well‑being. An award of indefinite support is most common when the marriage has been of long duration and the spouse seeking support faces obstacles to becoming self‑supporting because of age, disability, or absence from the workforce for many years.

In Chesterfield County, all spousal support matters that arise within a divorce are heard in the Chesterfield County Circuit Court, which sits at 9500 Courthouse Road. The court has exclusive original jurisdiction over divorce and related monetary claims. A judge will consider evidence about the parties’ financial circumstances and the statutory factors before deciding whether the support should be limited in duration or continue indefinitely. The decision is fact‑specific and can be revisited later if there is a material change in circumstances that was not anticipated at the time of the original order.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Permanent Alimony Cases

When Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel take on a permanent‑alimony case in Chesterfield County, they start by examining the full financial picture of the marriage. This means identifying marital and separate property under Virginia’s equitable‑distribution statute, valuing retirement accounts and business interests, and analyzing each spouse’s actual income‑earning capacity. Because the statutory factors require the court to consider the contributions each party made to the family’s well‑being, the team spends significant time documenting the non‑monetary contributions of the spouse who may be seeking support—caregiving, homemaking, and career sacrifices that made the other spouse’s advancement possible.

The firm works to present a complete financial affidavit that tells the client’s story in a way the Chesterfield County Circuit Court can evaluate. If the case involves vocational‑rehabilitation evidence or a forensic accountant’s report, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel coordinate those professionals to build a record that supports their client’s position. They also analyze whether an existing support order is subject to modification under the changed‑circumstances standard, especially when a payor’s income has shifted or the recipient’s prospects have changed. The goal, in every case, is to put the client in the strong $1 for a fair outcome, whether that means defending against an indefinite‑support demand or advocating for the support a spouse needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between rehabilitative alimony and permanent alimony in Virginia?

Rehabilitative alimony is support paid for a limited time to allow a spouse to gain education or training, while permanent—or indefinite—alimony continues without a set end date and is reserved for situations where age, disability, or other factors prevent a spouse from becoming self‑supporting. The distinction matters because a rehabilitative award ends when the recipient completes a training program or a court finds that a reasonable time has passed, whereas an indefinite award may last until the recipient remarries or either party dies. Chesterfield County judges use Va. Code § 20‑107.1 factors to decide whether the facts justify an indefinite award.

What does a Chesterfield County judge consider before ordering permanent alimony?

A judge in the Chesterfield County Circuit Court must weigh the thirteen factors in Va. Code § 20‑107.1, including the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, the age and health of the parties, each spouse’s earning capacity and education, and the contributions each made to the marriage. The court also looks at whether one spouse’s absence from the workforce has diminished that person’s ability to earn. Cases brought at the 9500 Courthouse Road courthouse are decided on the record the parties build, so thorough documentation of vocational limitations and financial needs is essential.

Can a permanent alimony order be modified later in Chesterfield County?

Yes, an indefinite spousal support order may be modified if the party seeking the change can show a material change in circumstances that was not anticipated when the original order was entered. Examples include a substantial and involuntary drop in the payor’s income, a significant improvement in the recipient’s earning capacity, or the recipient’s remarriage. Modification petitions are filed in the Chesterfield County Circuit Court, and the same statutory factors that governed the initial award apply. A court will not modify support simply because one party is unhappy with the original amount.

How does Virginia’s equitable‑distribution system affect alimony?

Virginia is an equitable‑distribution state, meaning marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally; the property division can influence the need for spousal support. If a spouse receives substantial income‑producing assets in the division, that may reduce the need for ongoing support. Conversely, a spouse who receives the family home but lacks liquid assets may still need monthly payments. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel evaluate the property settlement and the support claim together to avoid a result where one spouse ends up with the assets while the other is left with an unworkable support obligation.

Is permanent alimony the same thing as a lump‑sum payment?

No, permanent alimony refers to ongoing periodic payments, while a lump‑sum award is a one‑time payment that may be designated as spousal support or as part of the property division. Some parties prefer a lump sum to resolve the support issue finally, but Virginia courts do not always permit it if the payor lacks the funds or the recipient would be disadvantaged. The Chesterfield County Circuit Court will consider the equities of the case before approving a lump‑sum settlement in lieu of monthly support.

Do I need a lawyer for a permanent alimony case in Chesterfield County?

While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer, spousal support determinations turn on detailed financial analysis and the application of statutory factors that are best argued by an experienced attorney. Mistakes in the financial affidavit, an incorrect valuation of a retirement plan, or a failure to present vocational‑evidence can permanently affect the outcome. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have handled family‑law matters in Virginia courts since 1997 and know the procedures the Chesterfield County Circuit Court follows. To discuss your situation, call (888) 437‑7747.

What happens if a person stops paying permanent alimony in Virginia?

Failure to pay court‑ordered spousal support can result in a contempt proceeding, wage garnishment, or a judgment for arrears that accrues interest. The supported spouse can file a show‑cause petition in the Chesterfield County Circuit Court, and if the court finds the payor is able to pay but willfully refuses, it may impose sanctions including jail time. A payor who cannot afford the ordered amount because of a genuine change in circumstances should seek a modification as soon as possible rather than stop paying.

How long does it take to get a spousal support ruling in Chesterfield County?

The timeline for a spousal support ruling depends on the court’s calendar and the complexity of the case. A pendente lite hearing for temporary support while the divorce is pending may be scheduled relatively quickly, but a final hearing on indefinite support may take many months if the case involves business valuations or expert testimony. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel can give clients a better idea of the expected timeline once they review the specific facts and the court’s current docket.

Does permanent alimony end if the recipient starts living with a new partner?

In Virginia, spousal support terminates upon the recipient’s remarriage, but cohabitation alone does not automatically end the obligation. The payor can ask the court to modify or terminate support if the recipient is living with a new partner in a relationship analogous to marriage, but the burden is on the payor to prove the relationship has resulted in a material change in the recipient’s financial need. Each case hinges on its specific facts, and a Chesterfield County judge will examine the nature of the cohabitation arrangement.

What should I bring to a first consultation about permanent alimony?

It helps to bring recent pay stubs, tax returns from the last two or three years, retirement account statements, a list of monthly household expenses, and any existing separation agreement or prior court orders. If you have information about your spouse’s income or employment history, bring that as well. The more complete the financial picture, the more effective a consultation can be. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747 to schedule a meeting with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., established the firm in 1997 and has concentrated his practice on family law for many years. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and he regularly appears in the Chesterfield County Circuit Court. His Of Counsel bring additional experience in litigation and family‑law matters, and together they take a collaborative approach to each case. No case is handled by a single attorney alone; clients benefit from the collective judgment of the team. The firm’s Richmond location, serving Chesterfield County, can be reached at (888) 437‑7747.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York

Practicing since 1997

For further reading on Virginia spousal support statutes, visit the Virginia Code Title 20. To learn about the court that hears alimony matters in Chesterfield County, see the Chesterfield County Circuit Court page.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.