                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

EFFECT OF DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS (§ 20-79)

a. In any case where an order has been entered under the provisions of this
chapter, directing either party to pay any sum or sums of money for the support
of his or her spouse, or concerning the care, custody or maintenance of any
child, or children, the jurisdiction of the court which entered such order shall
cease and its orders become inoperative upon the entry of a decree by the court
or the judge thereof in vacation in a suit for divorce instituted in any circuit
court in this Commonwealth having jurisdiction thereof, in which decree
provision is made for support and maintenance for the spouse or concerning the
care, custody or maintenance of a child or children, or concerning any matter
provided in a decree in the divorce proceedings in accordance with the
provisions of &#xA7; 20-103.

b. In any suit for divorce, the court in which the suit is instituted or
pending, when either party to the proceedings so requests, shall provide in its
decree for the maintenance, support, care or custody of the child or children in
accordance with Chapter 6.1 (&#xA7; 20-124.1 et seq.), support and maintenance
for the spouse, if the same be sought, and counsel fees and other costs, if in
the judgment of the court any or all of the foregoing should be so decreed.

c. Enforcement of orders. In any suit for divorce or suit for maintenance and
support, the court may after a hearing, pendente lite, or in any decree of
divorce a mensa et thoro, decree of divorce a vinculo matrimonii, final decree
for maintenance and support, or subsequent decree in such suit, transfer to the
juvenile and domestic relations district court the enforcement of its orders
pertaining to support and maintenance for the spouse, maintenance, support, care
and custody of the child or children.
			Transfer of case for modification. After the entry of a decree of divorce a
vinculo matrimonii the court may transfer to the juvenile and domestic relations
district court any other matters pertaining to support and maintenance for the
spouse, maintenance, support, care and custody of the child or children on
motion by either party, and may so transfer such matters before the entry of
such decree on motion joined in by both parties. A court shall not (i) transfer
a case for modification to the juvenile and domestic relations district court in
the absence of a motion by either party or (ii) require a provision for transfer
of matters for modification to the juvenile and domestic relations district
court as a condition of entry of a decree of divorce a vinculo matrimonii.
			Change of venue. In the transfer of any matters referred to herein, the court
may, upon the motion of any party, or on its own motion, and for good cause
shown, transfer any matters covered by said decree or decrees to any circuit
court or juvenile and domestic relations district court within the Commonwealth
that constitutes a more appropriate forum. An appeal of an order by such
juvenile and domestic relations district court which is to enforce or modify the
decree in the divorce suit shall be as provided in &#xA7; 16.1-296.

HISTORY: Code 1919, § 1939; 1940, p. 478; 1960, c. 76; 1964, c. 636; 1970, c.
459; 1974, cc. 464, 473; 1975, c. 644; 1976, c. 345; 1977, c. 71; 1988, c. 502;
1994, c. 769; 2018, c. 254.