Virginia has a unique court system. There are Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts and Circuit Courts in each jurisdiction. Both courts have the authority to make orders relating to child custody, child visitation, child support, and spousal support (alimony). The Circuit Court has the additional power to award divorces and in conjunction with that, to divide property and debt. Appeals from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court also are heard in the Circuit Court. These appeals are trials de novo, meaning that there is a completely new trial.
The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court also has the power to enter Protective Orders, again with an appeal to the Circuit Court. Criminal charges between spouses and those involving children also will begin in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.
What this means is that any case has the potential to have two full trials in two different courts.
Virginia does not have a separate Family Court system, as many states do.
In addition to the above, Virginia also has the General District Court which does not handle Family Law cases.