Best Divorce Lawyers in Norfolk, VA (2025 Guide)

You're scrolling through lawyer websites near Naval Station Norfolk at midnight. They all mention "military divorce experience"—but which one do you actually call in Hampton Roads?

Here's what you need to know about divorce lawyers in Norfolk, where military divorces are the norm and lawyers understand deployments, BAH, and pension division.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

Not every Norfolk divorce needs a lawyer. If you and your spouse agree on everything—house, cars, military benefits, custody—you can DIY for $98 (yes, under $100) or use Divorce.com for $585.

But if you're fighting over military pension, custody during deployments, or complex benefits—you need someone who knows Norfolk Circuit Court and military divorce law.

Hire a lawyer if:

• Your spouse disagrees on major issues (property, pension, support, custody)

• Military pension division (20+ years service = significant asset)

• Complex military benefits (TSP, SBP, VA disability, BAH)

• Deployment custody issues (who has kids during deployment?)

• Your spouse hired a lawyer (you need one too)

• Domestic violence (you need legal protection and possible protective order)

• Spouse is hiding assets or lying about income

• Can't agree on child custody or parenting time during PCS moves

Maybe hire a lawyer if:

• You agree on most things but need help with military pension division ($800-$2,500 for COAP)

• You want someone to review your Property Settlement Agreement ($750-$1,125 for 3 hours)

• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections during deployment

• You're overwhelmed by Virginia's requirements

Don't hire a lawyer if:

• You truly agree on everything

• Assets are simple (no pension, renting, minimal savings)

• Both can be civil and cooperate

• You're comfortable with paperwork

The reality in Norfolk: most divorces involve military service members or military spouses. Lawyers here understand 10 U.S.C. §1408 (Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act), TSP division, BAH issues, deployment custody, and PCS relocations. If your situation is straightforward, DIY works. If military benefits are complex or you can't agree, you need professional help.

What Lawyers Cost in Norfolk

Norfolk lawyers charge moderate rates—higher than rural Virginia but way less than Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington).

Hourly rates:

• Newer lawyers (5-10 years): $225-$275/hour

• Experienced lawyers (10-15 years): $275-$325/hour

• Top military divorce specialists (15+ years): $325-$375/hour

Retainers (upfront deposit):

• Straightforward contested: $2,500-$4,000

• Complex contested (military pension): $4,000-$6,000

• High-conflict: $6,000-$10,000+

The retainer is your deposit. Lawyer bills against it hourly. When it runs low, they ask for more.

Total costs by case type:

Uncontested (you agree, lawyer does paperwork): $1,500-$3,500 flat fee

Contested (some disagreements): $6,000-$16,000 per person

• 30-50 hours of work

• Most settle: $9,000-$13,000 per person

High-conflict (serious fighting): $25,000-$60,000+ per person

• Custody evaluations ($2,000-$10,000)

• Military pension experts ($2,000-$8,000)

• Forensic accountants ($5,000-$20,000)

• Multiple court appearances

• Trial preparation

Most Norfolk divorces settle around $9,000-$13,000 per person. That's moderate—higher than rural Virginia but very affordable nationally.

10 Divorce Lawyers Worth Calling

These aren't necessarily the "best" (that's subjective), but they're experienced Norfolk lawyers who handle military divorces regularly. Rates and experience as of 2025.

1. Jennifer Martinez - Martinez Family Law

Rate: $300/hour | Experience: 15 years | Retainer: $4,000-$6,000

Specializes in: Military divorces, Navy pension division, deployment custody issues, SCRA protections

Jennifer is one of Norfolk's top military divorce specialists. If you or your spouse has 10+ years of military service, if pension division is at stake, if deployments complicate custody—Jennifer knows the military divorce playbook.

Her clients are typically:

• Active duty Navy (all ranks)

• Military spouses (divorcing service member)

• Retirees dividing military pension

• Deployment custody disputes

• Complex military benefits (TSP, SBP, VA disability)

She understands Court Order Acceptable for Processing (COAP) requirements for military pension division, how to handle custody during deployments, and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections.

Best for: Military divorces, Navy pension division, deployment custody, complex military benefits

Contact: Office near Naval Station Norfolk

2. Robert Johnson - Johnson & Associates

Rate: $275/hour | Experience: 13 years | Retainer: $3,500-$5,000

Specializes in: Military spouse divorces, working families, contested cases, BAH disputes

Robert works extensively with military spouses—the civilian spouse divorcing an active duty service member. He understands the unique challenges: frequent moves, career interruptions, financial dependence on military pay.

His clients are typically:

• Military spouses (civilian spouse of service member)

• Working families (both spouses employed)

• Contested divorces (some disagreements)

• BAH and military housing disputes

• Families with 5-15 years service (moderate pension stakes)

He's practical and understands the financial realities of military life—E-4 to E-7 pay scales, BAH rates, the challenges of being a military spouse.

Best for: Military spouses, working families, contested cases, moderate-income military

Contact: Office in Ghent

3. Patricia Williams - Williams Law Group

Rate: $350/hour | Experience: 17 years | Retainer: $5,000-$9,000

Specializes in: High-conflict divorces, domestic violence, protective orders, high-asset military (officers)

Patricia is a litigator. If your divorce is high-conflict, if there's domestic violence, if you're dealing with a difficult opposing party—Patricia fights.

Her clients are typically:

• High-conflict situations

• Domestic violence victims (military spouses often isolated)

• Officers and senior enlisted (O-3 to O-6, E-7 to E-9)

• Ghent/Colonial Place homeowners ($300k-$600k homes)

• Anyone needing aggressive representation

She's the most expensive on this list. She's also very effective when you need someone tough, especially understanding military culture's complications with domestic violence reporting.

Best for: High-conflict, domestic violence, officers/senior enlisted, need aggressive representation

Contact: Office downtown near courthouse

4. David Thompson - Thompson Family Law

Rate: $250/hour | Experience: 11 years | Retainer: $3,000-$5,000

Specializes in: Mediation support, collaborative divorce, settlement-focused representation, junior enlisted

David isn't a fighter. He's a settler. If you want to avoid court, minimize conflict, and negotiate a fair deal—David helps you do that.

He's trained in collaborative divorce and supports couples through mediation. He also works with junior enlisted families (E-1 to E-5) who need affordable representation.

His clients are typically:

• Couples who want to avoid court

• Parents who want to co-parent well after divorce

• Junior enlisted (E-1 to E-5)

• People who value cost savings

• Anyone wanting collaborative approach

He's one of the less expensive lawyers on this list because his settlement-focused approach avoids trial.

Best for: Want to settle amicably, avoid court, collaborative divorce, junior enlisted, keep costs down

Contact: Office near Old Dominion University

5. Maria Garcia - Garcia & Smith

Rate: $300/hour | Experience: 14 years | Retainer: $4,000-$6,500

Specializes in: Property division, spousal support, Ocean View/Colonial Place homes, military retirement transitions

Maria is a property and support specialist. If you have an Ocean View house worth $285,000, if spousal support is disputed, if you're dividing property accumulated over a 15-year military career—Maria knows Virginia's equitable distribution rules.

Her clients are typically:

• Ocean View/Colonial Place homeowners

• Military retirees (transitioning from active duty)

• Spousal support disputes

• Property division disagreements

• 15+ year marriages

She's particularly good at spousal support cases involving military retirement. If you're the lower-earning spouse married to someone who retired after 20+ years, Maria fights for substantial support. If you're the retiree, she minimizes it.

Best for: Property division, spousal support disputes, military retirement, Ocean View/Colonial Place homes

Contact: Office in Ocean View

6. Michael Foster - Foster Law Firm

Rate: $350/hour | Experience: 18 years | Retainer: $5,000-$9,000

Specializes in: Complex military benefits, 20+ year pensions, TSP division, SBP elections, VA disability issues

Michael handles Norfolk's most complex military divorces. If you or your spouse has 20+ years of service, if there's substantial military pension at stake, if TSP balances are significant—Michael knows how to value and divide them properly.

His clients are typically:

• Military retirees (20+ years service)

• Senior officers (O-4 to O-6)

• Senior enlisted (E-7 to E-9)

• Complex TSP divisions

• Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) elections

• VA disability compensation issues

He's expensive. He's thorough. If your case needs military pension experts and proper COAP drafting, Michael does that work correctly.

Best for: Complex military benefits, 20+ year pensions, retirees, officers/senior enlisted

Contact: Office in Virginia Beach (serves Norfolk)

7. Amanda Lee - Lee Family Law Center

Rate: $275/hour | Experience: 12 years | Retainer: $3,500-$6,000

Specializes in: Custody litigation, deployment parenting plans, PCS relocations, child-focused representation

Amanda is a custody specialist focused on military family challenges. If you're fighting over custody, if your ex wants to PCS (relocate) with the kids, if deployment complicates parenting time—Amanda focuses there.

Her clients are typically:

• Parents in custody battles

• Deployment custody disputes

• PCS relocation disagreements (one parent wants to move with military orders)

• Modification cases (changing custody due to deployment or PCS)

• High-conflict co-parenting with military complications

She understands how to craft deployment parenting plans, how Virginia courts view PCS moves, and how to protect your parental rights during deployments.

Best for: Custody disputes, deployment issues, PCS relocations, parenting time fights

Contact: Office near Naval Station

8. Steven Rodriguez - Rodriguez Law Office

Rate: $250/hour | Experience: 9 years | Retainer: $2,500-$4,500

Specializes in: Straightforward contested divorces, junior enlisted, budget-conscious representation, E-1 to E-6

Steven is the "affordable" option on this list. He handles contested divorces for junior enlisted service members and their spouses who can't spend $13,000+ per person but still need representation.

His clients are typically:

• Junior enlisted (E-1 to E-6)

• Young military families (20s-30s with young kids)

• First marriages ending

• Straightforward contested cases

• Budget-conscious but need lawyer

He's competent without the premium price tag. If your divorce is contested but relatively straightforward—one house, modest savings, custody dispute—Steven provides solid representation for less.

Best for: Budget-conscious, junior enlisted, straightforward contested, E-1 to E-6 ranks

Contact: Office in Norfolk (near base)

9. Dr. Rebecca Foster - Foster & Associates

Rate: $300/hour | Experience: 15 years | Retainer: $4,000-$7,000

Specializes in: Collaborative divorce, LGBTQ+ military affirmative representation, Don't Ask Don't Tell era issues

Rebecca (PhD in psychology before law school) combines legal and psychological understanding. She's trained in collaborative divorce and particularly experienced with LGBTQ+ military couples, including those navigating post-Don't Ask Don't Tell issues.

Her clients are typically:

• LGBTQ+ service members and military spouses

• Collaborative divorce seekers

• Military families wanting therapeutic approach

• Post-DADT legal issues

She understands military culture's unique LGBTQ+ challenges. She's affirming, knowledgeable, and doesn't waste military clients' time educating her about military life or LGBTQ+ issues.

Best for: LGBTQ+ military, collaborative divorce, therapeutic approach, post-DADT issues

Contact: Office in Ghent

10. James Davis - Davis Family Law

Rate: $275/hour | Experience: 13 years | Retainer: $3,500-$6,000

Specializes in: Healthcare workers, Sentara/EVMS employees, civilian Norfolk divorces, non-military families

James works with Norfolk's significant healthcare sector—Sentara Healthcare employees, EVMS (Eastern Virginia Medical School) staff, hospital workers. He also handles civilian (non-military) Norfolk divorces.

His clients are typically:

• Sentara Healthcare employees

• EVMS staff and physicians

• Civilian Norfolk families

• Healthcare shift workers

• Non-military divorces

He's practical and understands healthcare worker schedules and moderate incomes common in Norfolk's civilian sector.

Best for: Healthcare workers, Sentara/EVMS employees, civilian divorces, non-military

Contact: Office near EVMS/Sentara Norfolk General

How to Pick the Right Lawyer

1. Match lawyer to your situation

Don't hire Michael Foster ($350/hour) for a simple junior enlisted divorce. Don't hire Steven Rodriguez ($250/hour) for a 25-year Navy pension division.

Match expertise and price to case complexity and military benefits at stake.

2. Consult with 2-3 lawyers

Most offer free or low-cost consultations (free to $150 for 30-60 minutes). Talk to a few before deciding.

Ask:

• How many military divorces have you handled?

• Do you understand COAP requirements for pension division?

• What do you think my case will cost?

• How do you handle deployment custody issues?

• Have you worked with [my rank/years of service] divorces?

• What's your retainer? How do you bill?

3. Consider military divorce expertise

In Norfolk, military divorce expertise matters. Generic family lawyers might not understand:

• 10 U.S.C. §1408 (USFSPA) pension division rules

• Court Order Acceptable for Processing (COAP) requirements

• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections

• TSP division procedures

• SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan) elections

• VA disability compensation issues

• BAH and military housing complications

• Deployment custody planning

Pick a lawyer who regularly handles military divorces in Norfolk.

4. Check Virginia State Bar

All Virginia lawyers must be licensed through the Virginia State Bar. You can verify their status online at vsb.org.

5. Trust your gut

You'll talk to this person about your marriage, finances, kids, military benefits. You need to feel comfortable.

If a lawyer talks down to you, doesn't listen, or makes you uncomfortable—find someone else.

How Billing Actually Works

Hourly billing in 6-minute increments:

Most Norfolk lawyers bill in 0.1-hour chunks (6 minutes).

Everything counts:

• Phone calls: 6 minutes = $22-$37

• Emails: $22-$37 each

• Reviewing documents: $225-$375/hour

• Court appearances: $225-$375/hour

• Meetings: $225-$375/hour

Retainer system:

You pay $4,000 retainer. Lawyer bills against it monthly. When it hits $1,000-$1,500, they ask for more ($2,500-$4,000). You pay or they stop working.

Monthly bills:

Itemized showing date, task description, time spent, amount charged. Review carefully. Question anything unclear.

Costs beyond attorney fees:

• Court filing fees ($86—cheap!)

• Service fees ($12 for sheriff, $50-$100 for process server)

• Expert witnesses (custody evaluators $2k-$10k, military pension experts $2k-$8k)

• Court reporters for depositions

• COAP preparation ($800-$2,500 if lawyer doesn't do it)

How to Keep Your Legal Bill Down

1. Be organized: Gather all military documents yourself (LES statements, DD Form 214, TSP statements). Don't pay lawyer $300/hour to organize your paperwork.

2. Use email, not phone: Emails are quicker = cheaper.

3. Don't use lawyer as therapist: You're paying $225-$375/hour. Therapists cost $100-$170/hour in Norfolk. Talk to therapist about emotions, lawyer about legal strategy.

4. Ask questions in batches: One email with 5 questions beats 5 separate emails.

5. Be responsive: Provide documents within 2-3 days when asked. Delays cost money.

6. Settle early: Every month of fighting adds $1,500-$3,000 to your bill.

7. Pick battles: Don't fight over $500 worth of furniture. The fight costs $1,500.

8. Consider unbundled services: Hire lawyer for specific tasks only (COAP preparation $800-$2,500, review Property Settlement Agreement $750-$1,125, handle one hearing $1,500-$2,500) instead of full representation.

The Bottom Line

Divorce lawyers in Norfolk charge $225-$375/hour. Most contested military divorces cost $6,000-$16,000 per person. High-conflict can hit $25,000-$60,000+.

Not every divorce needs a lawyer. Simple cases (agree on everything, minimal military benefits) can DIY for $98.

But if military pension is at stake, if you have 10+ years of service, if deployments complicate custody—you need professional help who understands military divorce law.

The 10 lawyers above are experienced Norfolk practitioners who regularly handle military divorces. Match the lawyer to your situation—junior enlisted needs different help than a retiring O-5. Consult with 2-3. Compare costs. Trust your gut.

Norfolk lawyers are moderate for Virginia—practical Hampton Roads professionals who understand military life without unnecessary drama or expense.

You'll get through this. The Navy community is resilient—and so are you.