How to File Divorce Papers in Richmond, VA
If your spouse lives in Richmond, Virginia, and you want to file divorce papers against him, you can do so at the local circuit court, which has the jurisdiction to hear Virginia divorces. You should be sure that you have residency in Virginia before you file your divorce paperwork in Richmond, as the court cannot hear divorce cases in which the person filing is not a resident of the state. You can file for either an absolute or a limited divorce. An absolute divorce breaks all ties and permits the parties to remarry, while a limited divorce merely makes the separation official.
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Instructions
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Obtain a VS-4 form from the Richmond court clerk by calling the office at 804-646-6505 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Fill out the form legibly using black ink.
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Create a domestic case coversheet that has the names and addresses of both spouses, the date of separation and whether the divorce is contested or uncontested.
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Write your divorce complaint. This document should explain that you, as the plaintiff, are requesting a divorce from the defendant, your spouse. Explain the reasons that you are asking for the divorce. In Richmond, you can file a no fault divorce if you lived apart for one year and have children, or if you lived apart for six months without children. You also can cite the reason for filing as adultery, sodomy, imprisonment, cruelty or abandonment. Explain your choice and include examples that prove the reason you selected.
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Bring your papers to the court clerk at:
400 North Ninth Street
John Marshall Courts Building
Richmond, VA 23219 -
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Pay the $84 filing fee and wait to find out when your case will be heard.
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Tips & Warnings
Prepare all required documentation on 8.5-inch by 11-inch white paper and leave room for a 1.5-inch margin on all sides. You should only print on one side of each sheet of paper.
References
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