The Fredericksburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations (J&DR) District Court, at 615 Princess Anne Street, handles custody, visitation, child and spousal support when no divorce is filed, and protective orders for the City of Fredericksburg. It is separate from the Circuit Court at 701 Princess Anne Street, where a divorce is filed. Knowing which court your matter belongs in, and which building to walk into, can save a wasted trip to the wrong address.
Two family courthouses, one street
Fredericksburg’s family-law matters are handled at two different buildings on Princess Anne Street, 86 street numbers apart.
- 615 Princess Anne Street: J&DR District Court. This court handles child custody and visitation in Fredericksburg, child support, spousal support when no divorce is pending, protective orders, and juvenile matters. For many families, this is the courthouse for issues involving children or safety.
- 701 Princess Anne Street: Circuit Court. This court handles divorce and the division of marital property. The Fredericksburg General District Court is also housed in that building, but hears general civil and criminal cases, not family matters.
If your case concerns a child or a protective order and no divorce has been filed, you are almost always headed to 615. If you are filing for divorce, you are headed to 701.
What the J&DR court decides
The J&DR court’s authority is set out in Va. Code Section 16.1-241. In family matters, its work can include custody and visitation, child support, certain spousal support claims, protective orders, and other matters involving children and family or household members.
Custody and visitation decisions are based on the child’s best interests. Under Va. Code Section 20-124.3, the court considers ten statutory factors. These include each parent’s role in the child’s care, the child’s needs and relationships, and each parent’s willingness and ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. A child’s reasonable preference may also be considered when the court finds the child able to express one.
Child support is determined under the statewide guidelines in Va. Code Section 20-108.2. The calculation considers both parents’ gross incomes and the custody schedule, along with other factors provided by law. For guidance about establishing or reviewing support, see child support in Fredericksburg.
The J&DR court may also hear a request for spousal support after separation when no divorce decree governs the issue. Information about spousal support and alimony in Fredericksburg can help clarify how that issue fits into a family-law matter.
Protective-order matters may involve emergency, preliminary, and final orders. Virginia law addresses preliminary protective orders in family-abuse cases in Va. Code Section 16.1-253.1 and final protective orders in Va. Code Section 16.1-279.1. The steps and hearing dates can be time-sensitive, so check the order and any notice carefully and confirm procedural questions with the clerk or a lawyer. Shawna L. Stevens handles protective order matters in Fredericksburg.
J&DR or Circuit: which court hears your matter
The dividing line under Va. Code Section 20-79 is important to understand before filing. In general:
- Custody, visitation, or support when no divorce is filed is usually handled at the J&DR court at 615 Princess Anne Street.
- A divorce and division of marital property are handled at the Circuit Court at 701 Princess Anne Street. Information about filing for divorce in Fredericksburg can help you understand the separate Circuit Court process.
- A request to change a J&DR support order, when no divorce decree governs support, generally returns to J&DR.
When a Circuit Court divorce decree includes support or child-related provisions, those provisions govern, and an earlier J&DR order may become inoperative. In some situations, the Circuit Court can transfer support or related matters to J&DR, subject to the requirements in Va. Code Section 20-79.
Timing can matter when a support order is at issue. Under Va. Code Section 20-108.1, child-support liability may be determined retroactively from the date an action was filed, provided the required due diligence in service is met. That is different from assuming a change will apply automatically to earlier payments. If you are considering changing a support order, getting advice about the right court and filing date can help you take informed next steps.
If you are also served with a divorce complaint, Virginia generally allows 21 days after service to file a response. The deadline for responding to a divorce complaint is separate from dates and procedures in a J&DR matter. Review any papers promptly and confirm what action is required.
What to expect on your court date
The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Civil custody, visitation, and support hearings are calendared on the second and fourth Mondays, and the first, second, fourth, and fifth Tuesdays of each month. Contested hearings are also heard on the second, fourth, and fifth Thursdays. Short, 15-minute pretrial appearances are scheduled before contested dockets.
Treat this as general scheduling information, not confirmation of your hearing date. Court calendars can change. Confirm the date, time, and any instructions with the clerk before traveling. The clerk can provide forms and general procedural information, but cannot give legal advice or tell you what to write.
Before a hearing, read your notice carefully and organize the documents relevant to the issues before the court. If you are unsure what to file or how to present your position, consider getting legal advice well before the court date.
Fredericksburg J&DR Court information
- Court: Fredericksburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
- Address: 615 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5914
- Phone: (540) 372-1072
- Clerk of Court: Julie A. Dobson
- Clerk’s hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Judicial district: 15th Judicial District of Virginia
The information above is verified against the court’s official listing on the Virginia courts website. Confirm details before each filing or visit, because schedules and procedures can change.
Talk to a Fredericksburg family law attorney
Shawna L. Stevens PLLC practices family law only in the Fredericksburg J&DR and Circuit courts and throughout the surrounding region. With more than 20 years of experience in Virginia family law, Shawna L. Stevens provides personalized guidance through custody, support, and protective-order matters. To discuss your situation, call (540) 310-4088 or schedule a confidential consultation. The office is at 307 Lafayette Boulevard, Suite 200, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
The consultation is a separate charge and is not credited toward the retainer.
Contact our Fredericksburg office.