To file for a fault-based or contested divorce in Virginia, one party must prove that the spouse engaged in behavior that caused the marriage to fall apart. Grounds for divorce include:
Adultery: Sexual relationships outside the marriage can be grounds for divorce, but they can be difficult to prove.
Felony Conviction: If your spouse was convicted of a felony, sentenced to more than one year in prison, AND you did not live together after they got out of prison, this can be a valid reason for at-fault divorce.
Willful Desertion: This reason is valid if your spouse has abandoned you for at least a year.
Cruelty: Causing reasonable fear of bodily harm or inflicting domestic violence in Virginia can be grounds for this type of divorce, as well.