Selling a House During Divorce in Richmond, Virginia: What You Need to Know

Selling a house during a divorce is never just about real estate. It’s about moving forward. If you and your spouse are in the middle of a separation and own property in Richmond, Virginia, navigating the sale can feel like another mountain to climb. But it doesn’t have to.

With Harvey Buys Houses, we buy houses in Richmond, Virginia from homeowners who need a clear, fast solution - without the delays, repairs, or drawn-out negotiations. Whether you’re looking to split the equity or cash out and close a chapter, this guide walks you through what to expect when selling during a divorce and how to get it done smoothly.

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Divorce and Property in Virginia: What Comes First?

Before you can sell, you’ll need to understand how Virginia law handles marital property. Virginia is an “equitable distribution” state. This means the court will divide assets in a way that’s fair, though not always 50/50. If your house was purchased during the marriage, it’s likely considered marital property, even if only one spouse is listed on the title.

You’ll either need to:

  • Agree together to sell and divide proceeds
  • One party buys out the other’s share
  • Or let the court decide in the divorce settlement

If both parties agree to sell the house, it can be one of the fastest ways to move forward financially and emotionally.

Important: If the home was inherited during the marriage, the process changes. If that’s your situation, here’s what to do: Inherited a House in Richmond, Virginia? Here's the Easiest Way to Sell It

Why Divorcing Homeowners in Richmond Are Turning to Cash Sales

Selling on the traditional market takes time. You’ll need to hire an agent, prep the home, wait for offers, negotiate repairs, and then hope the buyer’s financing doesn’t fall through.

But when you’re divorcing, you don’t always have time to spare.

That’s why many Richmond homeowners choose to sell directly to cash buyers. With Harvey Buys Houses, we buy houses in Richmond, Virginia and close in as little as 7 days, giving you a fair all-cash offer without the back-and-forth.

Here’s why it works so well during a divorce:

  • No showings. No clean-up. No repairs.
  • Both parties can receive their share quickly
  • You stay in control of the timeline
  • Eliminates agent commissions or hidden costs

If you're ready to move on, we’re ready to make a fair cash offer.

Real Testimonials From Our Satisfied Home Sellers

We're proud to have worked with homeowners throughout Virginia who wanted a fast, easy home sale. Here's what they had to say:

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"Easy to work with."

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They were easy to work with and completed the sale in a timely fashion. They worked with me for my specific circumstances. I would recommend their services to anyone.

Sherice Young

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"Smooth, professional, a pleasure."

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Harvey Buys Houses was a pleasure to work with. The process was smooth, professional, and a pleasure from start to finish. Would definitely work together again!

Courtney Fisher

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"Had a smooth transaction during a trying time."

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Harvey was a pleasure to work with he helped me in a very trying time where I needed money and to sell my house FAST. This was a smooth transaction and he was able to close me out in just 10 quick days . Highly recommend!

Dom C.

Can You Sell Your House During Divorce Without Finalizing It?

Yes. You don’t have to wait for the divorce to be final to sell your house, but you do need cooperation from both parties unless a court order gives one person the right to sell.

In Richmond, this often means signing a joint agreement or involving both attorneys early on. The goal is to avoid delay and ensure both parties feel secure with the sale.

Many couples opt for a pre-sale agreement that outlines how the proceeds will be divided. This avoids disputes once the property is sold.

If you’ve never sold a house before, especially under pressure, make sure you’re avoiding the most common mistakes. Read this next: Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Selling Your House in Richmond, Virginia

What If One Spouse Doesn’t Want to Sell?

If one spouse refuses to sell, the process can hit a standstill. In Virginia, the court can intervene if one party wants to sell and the other does not. But this adds time, legal costs, and emotional stress.

That’s why we recommend contacting a local family law attorney early and reaching out to a cash buyer to assess your options. Harvey Buys Houses provides a written, transparent offer you can both review.

You’ll always know the offer amount and how quickly we can close. That kind of clarity helps make tough decisions easier.

How to Split the Proceeds Fairly

Once the sale goes through, what happens next? The proceeds from selling your Richmond home during divorce are usually split according to:

  • Pre- or post-nuptial agreements
  • Mutual agreement between spouses
  • Or a court-ordered distribution

Funds are typically held in escrow and disbursed to each party once all legal documents are signed. Having a clear offer and firm closing date from a cash buyer like Harvey Buys Houses helps everyone plan accordingly.

Real Richmond Example: A Faster Way Forward

Not long ago, a couple in Richmond came to us during their divorce. Their Westover Hills property needed over $30,000 in repairs to pass inspection. They didn’t agree on who should pay for the updates, and listing through an agent meant months of stress.

We gave them a fair all-cash offer within 24 hours. They closed in 10 days and split the funds evenly. No cleanup, no fixing the roof, and no waiting on buyers.

That’s the difference when you work with Harvey Buys Houses.

Tips for a Smooth Sale During Divorce

To avoid complications, here are five things Richmond homeowners should do:

1. Communicate early. If both parties agree to sell, things move faster. Discuss goals, price expectations, and timing before listing or accepting offers.

2. Get legal clarity. Work with a divorce attorney who understands how to protect your interest in a real estate sale.

3. Document everything. All agreements, who signs, who gets what, who covers existing liens, should be in writing and signed.

4. Avoid the MLS. Traditional sales introduce delays, fees, and uncertainty. Cash homebuyers like Harvey Buys Houses eliminate these roadblocks.

5. Prioritize peace of mind. Choose a simple, clean transaction with no repairs, no agents, and no headaches.

Bonus tip: If you’re dealing with a property that’s been used as a rental, and tenant issues are part of the conflict, this guide can help: Tired of Bad Tenants? Sell Your Rental Property Fast in Richmond, Virginia

What If There’s a Mortgage?

If your Richmond property still has a mortgage, the outstanding loan balance will be paid at closing. The remaining equity gets divided between spouses.

Here’s a quick example:

  • Sale price: $275,000
  • Mortgage balance: $185,000
  • Closing fees: $2,000
  • Remaining equity: $88,000

That $88,000 would be split according to your divorce agreement. A clear cash offer simplifies the process, so no one is waiting for lender approvals or worrying about financing delays.

Get Your Free Cash Offer Now!

Fill out this form to get your no-obligation all cash offer started!

Get Your Free Offer TODAY!

Fill In This Form To Get Your No-Obligation All Cash Offer Started!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

How to Get Started

If you’re divorcing and need to sell your house fast in Richmond, Virginia, Harvey Buys Houses is ready to make you a fair offer. Whether you’re working through lawyers, mediators, or just trying to move quickly, we buy houses and make the home-buying process clean and clear.

You can fill out our form in minutes. Once we know a few basic details about your home, we’ll send you a written cash offer. No agent fees, no repair requests. Just a fast, direct sale.

And you choose the closing date.

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Ready to Sell Your House Fast in Richmond?

Get a fair all-cash offer today from Harvey Buys Houses. No repairs, no fees, no long waits. Whether you're going through a divorce, dealing with tenants, or just want a clean break, we make the process simple.

Reach out now. We buy houses in Richmond, Virginia and close on your schedule.

Fill Out The Form To Get Your Cash Offer!