The end of your marriage is going to impact your family in many different ways and for years to come. It is important for your kids that you work to minimize the negative effects that a divorce can have by putting their needs and interests first. While this can be...
Family Law
Am I able to get a legal separation in Virginia?
The short answer to this question is “no”. In Virginia, people remain married until a court enters a divorce decree. To get a divorce in Virginia, a couple ordinarily must separate for 1 year. There are exceptions to this waiting period. While important, this...
Process to request a domestic violence protective order
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you have a right to pursue a protective order in Virginia, also known as a restraining order. A protective order is issued by a court to protect you from the person who is abusing, harassing or threatening you. The order may...
How is spousal support determined?
Spousal support is meant to provide financial assistance to the lesser-earning spouse and can be temporary or permanent. When deciding whether to award spousal support, how much it should be, and how long the order should last, a court must review numerous factors....
Finding hidden assets in divorce
If you and your spouse decide to divorce, it can be difficult, but you also likely expect that they will honestly disclose their assets so they can be divided between both of you. A hidden asset is one your spouse intentionally conceals or does not disclose during the...
Finances come to the forefront with increase in gray divorce
Divorce is difficult at any age and income status, but for older people in Virginia who have worked their whole lives to achieve a certain level of wealth, there are specific concerns that must be addressed. This has become more worrisome with the statistical increase...
The role of marital and separate property in your divorce
If you are facing a high asset divorce in Virginia, you are probably laser-focused on one particular legal issue: property and debt division. The amount and complexity of assets in these types of divorce cases can bog down efforts to reach a resolution in the case,...
In high-asset divorces, child support can be challenging
Like other states, Virginia has child support guidelines that the courts in this state use as a starting point for issuing support orders. The idea behind these child support guidelines is to make sure that courts are issuing orders that are consistent and fair to all...
Easing the complication of a joint custody arrangement
One of the most complicated aspects of divorce is determining what will happen to the children. Both parents naturally want to protect their kids and spend as much time as possible with them, but there is evidence to suggest that children tend to do better when...
What can I do before divorce to help my child custody case?
If you are considering divorce in Virginia and have kids, you will want to know how to prepare for the child custody portion of your divorce case. Keep in mind that, like other states, family law courts determine child custody is determined by the best interests of...