Rehabilitative Alimony Lawyer Alexandria, VA

Requests for rehabilitative alimony in Alexandria are heard at the Alexandria Circuit Court, 520 King Street, 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA 22320. The Circuit Court handles all divorce, equitable distribution, and spousal support matters in the city. Standalone custody, visitation, and child support petitions proceed in the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear in both courts on behalf of clients pursuing or defending rehabilitative spousal support claims under Va. Code § 20-107.1^[Registry]. To discuss your situation, call (888) 437‑7747.

What Rehabilitative Alimony Means in Alexandria, Virginia

Rehabilitative alimony is a form of spousal support designed to help a spouse become self-supporting after divorce. Under Va. Code § 20-107.1^[Registry], a Virginia circuit court may award rehabilitative support for a set duration when the requesting spouse needs time to obtain education, training, or work experience. Unlike indefinite or permanent alimony, rehabilitative awards aim to bridge a defined gap. In Alexandria, the Circuit Court applies the 13 statutory factors in § 20-107.1^[Registry] to determine whether rehabilitative support is appropriate, its amount, and its duration.

The same factors also guide temporary support orders entered while the divorce is pending. Factors include the parties’ ages, health, education, earning capacity, need, contributions to the family, standard of living during the marriage, and any grounds for divorce. Because Virginia is an equitable distribution state, the court may consider the property division when setting support. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work with clients to build a thorough factual record addressing each relevant factor.

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

When a client seeks rehabilitative alimony in Alexandria, the first step is a careful evaluation of the financial and vocational evidence. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel identify the precise training or educational program that would restore the requesting spouse’s earning capacity and present a realistic time frame. For the paying spouse, the focus is on verifying that the request aligns with the statutory factors and that the proposed duration and amount are reasonable under the circumstances.

The process may involve informal negotiations, mediation, or a contested hearing before the Alexandria Circuit Court. If the parties cannot agree, a judge will take evidence, hear testimony, and enter an order after considering the § 20-107.1^[Registry] factors. Orders for rehabilitative alimony can include provisions for review or modification if circumstances change materially. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel guide clients through each stage, from documentation and discovery to any post-divorce enforcement or modification proceedings.

Last reviewed: June 2026

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., concentrates his practice on family law matters including spousal support litigation. A former prosecutor, he founded the firm in 1997 and has since represented clients in Virginia circuit courts across the Commonwealth. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).

Mr. Sris is supported by a team of Of Counsel attorneys who bring decades of combined courtroom experience. The firm’s Of Counsel practice across multiple practice areas and appear regularly in Alexandria’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and Circuit Court. Over 120 years of combined legal experience between Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, supported by 4,739+ documented firm-wide results, is brought to every family law matter. Results may vary.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is rehabilitative alimony in Virginia?

Rehabilitative alimony is periodic spousal support paid for a defined period to allow the receiving spouse to acquire the education, training, or work experience necessary to become self-supporting. It is governed by Va. Code § 20-107.1^[Registry] and is distinguishable from indefinite or permanent alimony, which may be ordered when a spouse cannot overcome the barriers to self-sufficiency within a fixed time.

How does rehabilitative alimony differ from permanent alimony?

Rehabilitative alimony terminates at the end of a specified period, while permanent or indefinite alimony continues until a material change in circumstances or the death or remarriage of the recipient. Virginia courts generally prefer rehabilitative support when feasible and reserve indefinite support for cases in which a spouse’s age, health, or extended absence from the workforce limits their ability to become self-sufficient.

What factors does an Alexandria court consider when awarding rehabilitative alimony?

The Alexandria Circuit Court applies 13 factors listed in Va. Code § 20-107.1^[Registry], including the parties’ financial resources, earning capacities, the duration of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, contributions to the family, and the grounds for divorce. The court will weigh these factors to determine whether a rehabilitative award is appropriate and, if so, the amount and duration.

How long does rehabilitative alimony last?

The length of a rehabilitative alimony award depends on the time reasonably necessary for the recipient to complete the identified education or training program and secure commensurate employment. The court sets the specific duration in its order. A motion to modify the duration may be filed if circumstances change materially, but the original award remains in effect unless the court orders otherwise.

Can rehabilitative alimony be modified or terminated?

Either party may move to modify a rehabilitative alimony award based on a material change in circumstances, such as a substantial change in income or the recipient’s completion of the planned training. The paying spouse may also seek termination if the recipient cohabits with another person in a relationship analogous to marriage for one year or more, consistent with Va. Code § 20-109^[Registry].

Do I need a lawyer for rehabilitative alimony in Alexandria?

You are not required to have a lawyer, but rehabilitative alimony disputes involve detailed financial evidence, vocational assessments, and application of statutory factors that can be difficult to navigate without experienced counsel. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive family-law experience to Alexandria spousal support matters. To request a consultation, call (888) 437‑7747.

How do I request rehabilitative alimony in Alexandria Circuit Court?

A request for rehabilitative alimony is typically included in a complaint for divorce filed with the Clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court. The complaint must state the grounds for divorce and request the specific relief sought. Filing fees apply; contact the clerk’s office or call our firm for current information. Pendente lite support may be requested while the case is pending.

What if my spouse fails to pay rehabilitative alimony?

If the payor spouse does not comply with a court order for rehabilitative alimony, the recipient may file a motion for enforcement or contempt in the Alexandria Circuit Court. The court has the authority to issue a show-cause order, enter a judgment for arrearages, and impose sanctions. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle enforcement proceedings to help clients secure the support ordered by the court.

Virginia legal resources: 
Virginia Code Title 20 (Domestic Relations)  · 
Virginia’s Judicial System

Citation Registry: Va. Code §§ 20-107.1, 20-109 verified against the Virginia Code.

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