Is there a waiting period to get divorced in Virginia?

When people decide to get a divorce in Virginia, they often want to get it over with as quickly as possible. However, the law has a list of justifications for which one must be proven before the divorce can move forward. These are called grounds for divorce.

What people might not realize is that there is a difference between a fault-based divorce and a no-fault divorce. If it is a fault-based divorce, then there is no waiting period. However, since most people get a no-fault divorce, there is a waiting period. When planning a divorce, this needs to be considered as part of the process.

When is there a waiting period for a Virginia divorce?

A no-fault divorce means that the parties do not intend to prove any marital misconduct to end the marriage. A fault-based divorce would mean that there needs to be proof of abuse, adultery, or some other form of misbehavior. No-fault divorces are easier as the parties simply need to adhere to the law and end the marriage.