Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 20-91 (2026)

Grounds for divorce from bond of matrimony; contents of decree

✓ current as of May 2026

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A. A divorce from the bond of matrimony may be decreed:

(1) For adultery that occurred prior to the date of the last separation of the parties; or for sodomy or buggery committed outside the marriage;

(2) [Repealed.]

(3) Where either of the parties subsequent to the marriage has been convicted of a felony, sentenced to confinement for more than one year and confined for such felony subsequent to such conviction, and cohabitation has not been resumed after knowledge of such confinement (in which case no pardon granted to the party so sentenced shall restore such party to his conjugal rights);

(4) [Repealed.]

(5) [Repealed.]

(6) Where either party has been guilty of cruelty, caused reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, or willfully deserted or abandoned the other, such divorce may be decreed to the innocent party after a period of one year from the date of such act; or

(7) [Repealed.]

(8) [Repealed.]

(9) (a) On the application of either party if and when they have lived separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for one year. In any case where the parties have entered into a separation agreement and there are no minor children either born of the parties, born of either party and adopted by the other or adopted by both parties, a divorce may be decreed on application if and when they have lived separately and apart without cohabitation and without interruption for six months. A plea of res adjudicata or of recrimination with respect to any other provision of this section shall not be a bar to either party obtaining a divorce on this ground, nor shall it be a bar that either party has been adjudged insane, either before or after such separation has commenced, but at the expiration of one year or six months, whichever is applicable, from the commencement of such separation, the grounds for divorce shall be deemed to be complete, and the committee of the insane defendant, if there is one, shall be made a party to the cause, or if there is no committee, then the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the insane defendant.

(b) This subdivision (9) shall apply whether the separation commenced prior to its enactment or shall commence thereafter. Where otherwise valid, any decree of divorce hereinbefore entered by any court having equity jurisdiction pursuant to this subdivision (9), not appealed to the Supreme Court of Virginia, is hereby declared valid according to the terms of said decree notwithstanding the insanity of a party thereto.

(c) A decree of divorce granted pursuant to this subdivision (9) shall in no way lessen any obligation any party may otherwise have to support the spouse unless such party shall prove that there exists in the favor of such party some other ground of divorce under this section or § 20-95.

B. A decree of divorce shall include, if known and available, each party's social security number or other control number issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to § 46.2-342.

Code 1919, § 5103; 1926, p. 868; 1934, p. 20; 1952, c. 100; 1960, c. 108; 1962, c. 288; 1964, cc. 363, 648; 1970, c. 311; 1975, c. 644; 1982, c. 308; 1986, c. 397; 1988, c. 404; 1997, cc. 794, 898; 2020, cc. 270, 900; 2026, cc. 402, 918.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 307 cases (24 in the last 5 years), 1954–2026 · leading case: Bandas v. Bandas, 430 S.E.2d 706 (Va. Ct. App. 1993).

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Bandas v. Bandas, 430 S.E.2d 706 (Va. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 38× “We disagree with the husband’s contention that he did not violate Code § 20-91 (3), because the wife, by visiting him in prison, had resumed cohabitation with the husband after the husband was incarcerated.”

Nancy Marcellette Friedman v. Mona Smith & Laura Goldstein, etc., 810 S.E.2d 912 (Va. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 5× “” After the hearing, on the motion of husband and over the objection of wife, the circuit court granted husband’s cross-complaint on the grounds of a one-year separation pursuant to Code § 20-91(A)(9)(a), entered a decree of divorce from the bond of matrimony, and dismissed…”

Dukelow v. Dukelow, 341 S.E.2d 208 (Va. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 14× “The commissioner recommended that a divorce a vinculo matrimonii be awarded to the husband pursuant to Code § 20-91(9). After considering all of the factors enumerated in Code § 20-107.”

Andrews v. Creacey, 696 S.E.2d 218 (Va. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 10× “2d 34 (1975), held: Where both parties are mentally competent as in the present case, we hold that, as a prerequisite for a divorce under Code § 20-91(9), there must be proof of an intention on the part of at least one of the parties to discontinue permanently the marital…”

Wright v. Wright, 564 S.E.2d 702 (Va. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 9× “1(B) provides: Any maintenance and support shall be subject to the provisions of § 20-109, and no permanent maintenance and support shall be awarded from a spouse if there exists in such spouse’s favor a ground of divorce under the provisions of subdivision (1) of § 20-91. 3…”

Thomasson v. Thomasson, 302 S.E.2d 63 (Va. 1983). · cites it 10× “*398 The wife correctly argues that under Code § 20-91 (9)(C) a “no-fault” divorce decree is no bar to spousal support for either party unless there exists in favor of the opposite party some other ground of divorce under Code § 20-91 or Code § 20-95.”

Brandau v. Brandau, 666 S.E.2d 532 (Va. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 4× “Pursuant to Code § 20-91 (A)(6), the trial court awarded wife a final divorce decree based on evidence that husband “willfully deserted” the marriage.”

Williams v. Williams, 415 S.E.2d 252 (Va. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 8× “The no-fault ground selected by the trial court did not diminish any obligation of the husband to support the wife, absent proof that there existed in his favor some other ground of divorce under Code §§ 20-91 or 20-95. Code § 20-91(9)(c); Dukelow v.”

Zinkhan v. Zinkhan, 342 S.E.2d 658 (Va. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 8× “*203 On November 1, 1984, the chancellor entered a decree granting a final divorce from the bond of matrimony to husband on the ground that the parties had lived separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for one year pursuant to Code § 20-91 (9)(a). In…”

Robertson v. Robertson, 211 S.E.2d 41 (Va. 1975). · cites it 12× “In this domestic relations case, the wife, Luisa Pinillos Robertson, filed a bill of complaint for divorce on the grounds of desertion (Code § 20-91 (6)) and adultery (Code § 20-91 (1)).”

Harrell v. Harrell, 636 S.E.2d 391 (Va. 2006). · cites it 6× “This bill of complaint was filed before the expiration of the one year separation period required by Code § 20-91(9)(a). The complaint requested that Ms.”

Petachenko v. Petachenko, 350 S.E.2d 600 (Va. 1986). · cites it 5× “The only question, therefore, is whether, because the parties engaged in a single act of sexual intercourse in 1980, the commissioner’s finding that they had not cohabited after September 2, 1978, is contrary to the evidence.”

Show all 307 citing cases →

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(1) — 33 cases

Bandas v. Bandas, 430 S.E.2d 706 (Va. Ct. App. 1993). “We disagree with the husband’s contention that he did not violate Code § 20-91 (3), because the wife, by visiting him in prison, had resumed cohabitation with the husband after the husband was incarcerated.”

Wright v. Wright, 564 S.E.2d 702 (Va. Ct. App. 2002). “1(B) provides: Any maintenance and support shall be subject to the provisions of § 20-109, and no permanent maintenance and support shall be awarded from a spouse if there exists in such spouse’s favor a ground of divorce under the provisions of subdivision (1) of § 20-91. 3…”

Marion v. Marion, 401 S.E.2d 432 (Va. Ct. App. 1991).

Drewry v. Drewry, 383 S.E.2d 12 (Va. Ct. App. 1989).

Michael D.C. v. Wanda L.C., 497 S.E.2d 531 (W. Va. 1997).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(3) — 9 cases

United States v. Tanner, 853 F. Supp. 190 (W.D. Va. 1994).

Reid v. Reid, 409 S.E.2d 155 (Va. Ct. App. 1991).

Reid v. Reid, 419 S.E.2d 398 (Va. Ct. App. 1992).

Bandas v. Bandas, 25 Va. Cir. 492 (Richmond County Cir. Ct. 1991).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(4) — 1 case

Sealock v. Sealock, 26 Va. Cir. 379 (Clarke Cir. Ct. 1971).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(6) — 24 cases

Zinkhan v. Zinkhan, 342 S.E.2d 658 (Va. Ct. App. 1986). “*203 On November 1, 1984, the chancellor entered a decree granting a final divorce from the bond of matrimony to husband on the ground that the parties had lived separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for one year pursuant to Code § 20-91 (9)(a). In…”

Petachenko v. Petachenko, 350 S.E.2d 600 (Va. 1986). “The only question, therefore, is whether, because the parties engaged in a single act of sexual intercourse in 1980, the commissioner’s finding that they had not cohabited after September 2, 1978, is contrary to the evidence.”

Hurt v. Hurt, 433 S.E.2d 493 (Va. Ct. App. 1993).

Broom v. Broom, 425 S.E.2d 90 (Va. Ct. App. 1992).

Gibson v. Gibson, 364 S.E.2d 518 (Va. Ct. App. 1988).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(7) — 1 case

Overby v. Overby, 24 Va. Cir. 491 (Richmond City Cir. Ct. 1970).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(9) — 78 cases

Dukelow v. Dukelow, 341 S.E.2d 208 (Va. Ct. App. 1986). “The commissioner recommended that a divorce a vinculo matrimonii be awarded to the husband pursuant to Code § 20-91(9). After considering all of the factors enumerated in Code § 20-107.”

Andrews v. Creacey, 696 S.E.2d 218 (Va. Ct. App. 2010). “2d 34 (1975), held: Where both parties are mentally competent as in the present case, we hold that, as a prerequisite for a divorce under Code § 20-91(9), there must be proof of an intention on the part of at least one of the parties to discontinue permanently the marital…”

Derby v. Derby, 378 S.E.2d 74 (Va. Ct. App. 1989).

Thomasson v. Thomasson, 302 S.E.2d 63 (Va. 1983). “*398 The wife correctly argues that under Code § 20-91 (9)(C) a “no-fault” divorce decree is no bar to spousal support for either party unless there exists in favor of the opposite party some other ground of divorce under Code § 20-91 or Code § 20-95.”

Emrich v. Emrich, 387 S.E.2d 274 (Va. Ct. App. 1989).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(9)(A) — 1 case

Naugle v. Naugle, 3 Va. Cir. 250 (Alexandria Cir. Ct. 1984).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(9)(a) — 50 cases

Harrell v. Harrell, 636 S.E.2d 391 (Va. 2006). “This bill of complaint was filed before the expiration of the one year separation period required by Code § 20-91(9)(a). The complaint requested that Ms.”

Steven T. Russell v. Karen A. Russell, 759 S.E.2d 1 (Va. Ct. App. 2014).

Alphin v. Alphin, 424 S.E.2d 572 (Va. Ct. App. 1992).

Cook v. Cook, 446 S.E.2d 894 (Va. Ct. App. 1994).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(9)(c) — 6 cases

Williams v. Williams, 415 S.E.2d 252 (Va. Ct. App. 1992). “The no-fault ground selected by the trial court did not diminish any obligation of the husband to support the wife, absent proof that there existed in his favor some other ground of divorce under Code §§ 20-91 or 20-95. Code § 20-91(9)(c); Dukelow v.”

Brooker v. Brooker, 235 S.E.2d 309 (Va. 1977).

DeHaven v. DeHaven, 14 Va. Cir. 508 (Frederick Cir. Ct. 1983).

Thomas A. Carr v. Maribeth C. Carr (Va. Ct. App. 2023).

Lundy v. Lundy, 7 Va. Cir. 151 (Virginia Beach Cir. Ct. 1982).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(9Xa) — 1 case

McGee v. McGee, 48 Va. Cir. 457 (Richmond County Cir. Ct. 1999).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(A) — 2 cases

Quincy Jones Walker, s/k/a Quincy James Walker v. Commonwealth (Va. Ct. App. 2005).

Charles J. DeLanoy v. Robin R. DeLanoy (Va. Ct. App. 2014).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(A)(1) — 12 cases

Joshua Dean Drenth v. Elizabeth Anne Drenth (Va. Ct. App. 2022).

Wilbert Francisco Laveist v. Rita M. Laveist (Va. Ct. App. 2016).

Charles C. Pattillo, Jr. v. Alison Pattillo (Va. Ct. App. 2018).

Jacob F. Chaney v. Julia L. Karabaic-Chaney (Va. Ct. App. 2020).

Konstantin Sizov v. Natalia v. Sizov (Va. Ct. App. 2020).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(A)(3) — 2 cases

Todd Puckett v. Tamara Senger (Va. Ct. App. 2023).

Atif Beyah Saleem, a/k/a Wm. Robinson v. P. Saleem (Va. Ct. App. 2001).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(A)(6) — 14 cases

Brooks v. Brooks, 498 S.E.2d 461 (Va. Ct. App. 1998).

Jennifer M. Payne v. David Ray Payne (Va. Ct. App. 2023).

Kristy Marie Armstrong, n/k/a Kristy Marie Roadcap v. Adam Christopher Armstrong (Va. Ct. App. 2019).

Duane Antionne Fairfax v. Tracey Nichole Fairfax (Va. Ct. App. 2025).

Fatemeh Nasrin Ghods v. John D. Musick (Va. Ct. App. 2005).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(A)(9) — 18 cases

Shaishav Shah v. Manali Shah, 829 S.E.2d 586 (Va. Ct. App. 2019).

Brooks v. Brooks, 498 S.E.2d 461 (Va. Ct. App. 1998).

Abegail Cornwell Cruz, n/k/a Abigail Caballero Cornwell v. Peter S. Cruz, Sr., 741 S.E.2d 106 (Va. Ct. App. 2013).

Lisann v. Lisann (Va. 2025).

Eric Lisann v. Elizabeth Lisann (Va. Ct. App. 2023).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(A)(9)(1) — 1 case

Lisann v. Lisann (Va. 2025).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(A)(9)(a) — 36 cases

Nancy Marcellette Friedman v. Mona Smith & Laura Goldstein, etc., 810 S.E.2d 912 (Va. Ct. App. 2018). “” After the hearing, on the motion of husband and over the objection of wife, the circuit court granted husband’s cross-complaint on the grounds of a one-year separation pursuant to Code § 20-91(A)(9)(a), entered a decree of divorce from the bond of matrimony, and dismissed…”

West v. West, 669 S.E.2d 390 (Va. Ct. App. 2008).

Bchara v. Bchara, 563 S.E.2d 398 (Va. Ct. App. 2002).

Lisann v. Lisann (Va. 2025).

Eric Lisann v. Elizabeth Lisann (Va. Ct. App. 2023).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(A)(9)(c) — 1 case

Lothar W. Nass v. Arlene Wolin Nass (Va. Ct. App. 2001).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(A)(l) — 3 cases

Brandau v. Brandau, 666 S.E.2d 532 (Va. Ct. App. 2008). “Pursuant to Code § 20-91 (A)(6), the trial court awarded wife a final divorce decree based on evidence that husband “willfully deserted” the marriage.”

Theodore v. Mundy, III v. Alison D. Mundy, 783 S.E.2d 535 (Va. Ct. App. 2016).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(a) — 1 case

Graham v. Graham, 16 Va. Cir. 146 (Chesterfield Cir. Ct. 1989).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(a)(6) — 1 case

Jerome Myers, II v. Janetta Katrece Myers (Va. Ct. App. 2020).

— Va. Code Ann. § 20-91(a)(l) — 1 case

Martin v. Elliotte, 47 Va. Cir. 59 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 1998).

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