Katie Carter

Family Court Dress Code

It’s not superficial to be concerned with the way you present in public and, whether fortunately or unfortunately, the sartorial choices you’re making matter.  They matter across the board, but it definitely matters if you’re going to court in your family law case. Full disclosure: Virginia doesn’t technically have “family court,” or, at least, that’s...

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Let’s start with the maybe not-quite-so-obvious.  In family law, it doesn’t really matter what “studies” suggests or what the “data” says.  We are not making arguments about what is best for many children, or most children, or some randomized, average, but  ultimately representative group of children. We are talking only about your children. The children...

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In most cases, paternity isn’t a big issue.  In most cases, the parties don’t dispute it – and, obviously, there’s hardly ever any issues as it relates to maternity.  Right?  You know full well you were in the room where it happened.  Sure, there can be complications with adoptions or foster care, but that’s not...

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Does it ever benefit women to get married?

I’m married – and I’m a divorce attorney.  It’s a bit of an oxymoron, isn’t it?  Or is it?  I don’t even know anymore.  I’m also a pretty connected, online person, so I hear all the chatter (I try to make sure I hear all the chatter) about staying single, getting or staying married, and...

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Welcome, Brittany Hudgens!

  This month, we’re giving the warmest welcome to Brittany Hudgens, the newest attorney in our Virginia Beach office!  Brittany is a graduate of Regent University and, most recently, practiced family law (among a few other things) with two other local area law firms.  She also worked for a time with the Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney...

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Does it ever benefit women to get married?

I’m married – and I’m a divorce attorney.  It’s a bit of an oxymoron, isn’t it?  Or is it?  I don’t even know anymore.  I’m also a pretty connected, online person, so I hear all the chatter (I try to make sure I hear all the chatter) about staying single, getting or staying married, and...

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Depending on how long you’ve waited – and how soon your trial is –  you won’t have all available options if you wait until the last minute.  There is no specific legal right to assistance of counsel in family law cases (unlike in criminal cases) so, for the most part, if you can’t afford an...

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To put him on child support or to NOT put him on child support – that is the question!  It’s a legitimate question, too, because filing a petition for child support can open the door to more custody litigation. Let’s talk about it. Filing petitions for child custody, visitation, and child support In Virginia, if...

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