                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

HOW SUCH SUITS INSTITUTED AND CONDUCTED; COSTS (§ 20-99)

Such suit shall be instituted and conducted as other suits in equity, except as
otherwise provided in this section:

1. Except for a divorce granted on the grounds set forth in subdivision A (9) of
&#xA7; 20-91, no divorce, annulment, or affirmation of a marriage shall be
granted on the uncorroborated testimony of the parties or either of them.

2. Whether the defendant answers or not, the cause shall be heard independently
of the admissions of either party in the pleadings or otherwise.

3. Process or notice in such proceedings shall be served in the Commonwealth by
any of the methods prescribed in &#xA7; 8.01-296 by any person authorized to
serve process under &#xA7; 8.01-293. Service may be made on a nonresident by any
of the methods prescribed in &#xA7; 8.01-296 by any person authorized to serve
process under &#xA7; 8.01-320.

4. In cases where such suits have been commenced and an appearance has been made
on behalf of the defendant by counsel, then notices to take depositions and of
hearings, motions, and other proceedings except contempt proceedings, may be
served by delivering or mailing a copy to counsel for opposing party, the foot
of such notices bearing either acceptance of service or a certificate of counsel
in compliance with the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia. &#8220;Counsel for
opposing party&#8221; shall include a pro se party who (i) has entered a general
appearance in person or by filing a pleading or endorsing an order of withdrawal
of that party&#8217;s counsel or (ii) has signed a pleading in the case or who
has notified the other parties and the clerk that he appears in the case.

5. In cases where such suits have been commenced, the defendant has been served
pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 1 of &#xA7; 8.01-296, and the
defendant has failed to file an answer to the suit or otherwise appear within
the time allowed by law, no further notice to take depositions or conduct an ore
tenus hearing is required to be served on the defendant and the court may enter
any order or final decree without further notice to the defendant.

6. Costs may be awarded to either party as equity and justice may require.

HISTORY: Code 1919, § 5106; 1920, p. 503; 1928, p. 535; 1938, p. 202; 1968, c.
484; 1975, c. 644; 1977, c. 60; 1984, cc. 609, 616; 1987, c. 594; 1991, c. 244;
1992, c. 563; 2012, cc. 78, 84; 2013, cc. 81, 100; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 194.