Divorce

Can I get divorced alone?

Though most divorces have some similarities, there are a lot of things that can be different, too. There is no such thing as a “run of the mill” or “typical” divorce, so I’m always a little hesitant to answer questions without knowing more about each individual person and their backstory. I had a woman ask...

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What to expect in a Virginia military divorce

On Monday, we talked about the differences between military and civilian divorce. So far, we’ve mostly discussed the ways that military and civilian divorces are similar. (Shocking, right?) Well, as you already know, military and civilian divorce are a little bit different. Procedurally, they’re very similar, but there are certain assets that exist in military...

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Taxes in Divorce

I’m not a tax attorney. In fact, if I’m being 100% honest, I really don’t know all that much about tax law, except that it is complex and constantly changing. As a family law attorney, though, sometimes tax related issues come up in my practice. Though I don’t pretend to understand everything about tax law...

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Filing for Legal Separation in Virginia

The first step towards divorce, for most couples, is a separation. Most people refer to it as a “legal” separation, though, in Virginia at least, there’s no actual, technical “legal” status. There are no forms to file, no protocol to follow; you are simply separated at the point when you decide to become separated. In...

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If you’re the main breadwinner in your family and you’re now headed towards divorce, you’re probably a little concerned. And—that’s probably an understatement. Financially, divorce is probably pretty terrifying to you, even if it’s something that you know you want. Spousal support is probably the biggest issue on your mind because, whether you have kids...

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If you’ve been a stay at home mom or you’ve significantly reduced your hours in an effort to promote the well being of your family and you’re now headed towards divorce, you’re probably a little concerned. And—that’s probably an understatement. Financially, divorce is probably pretty terrifying to you, even if it’s something that you know...

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Avoiding Taxes With Spousal Support Awards

If you’re feeling like spousal support awards really aren’t all that generous, you’re not alone. Spousal support is one of those things that, in my practice, varies widely. The law governing spousal support is far from clear, too, so even determining whether someone will receive spousal support is difficult and often convoluted. We have to...

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Parental Alienation in Virginia

Divorce is hard, but when you combine it with the emotional and completely volatile nature of a custody case, it’s exponentially worse. Obviously, custody isn’t always part and parcel of a divorce action; custody cases can take place completely independently of a divorce case. (Because moms and dads don’t have to have ever been married,...

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