Whether you or your child’s father originally filed custody petitions, it’s a pretty scary process. If he has an attorney and you don’t, it’s probably especially scary. Though there’s no rule that says you have to have an attorney in any divorce or custody cases in Virginia, navigating the system on your own can be...
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For many married couples, the home is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) asset. You’re going to have to do some thinking about what you want done with the home after divorce. For a lot of reasons, the home comes with a lot of emotional attachment, and different people have different ideas about...
Negotiations in divorce can take all sorts of forms, depending on what’s appropriate under the specific circumstances. In a lot of cases, negotiations start out in the form of letters. We draft a separation agreement (or the other side does, depending on who was hired first), and then we negotiate back and forth in writing....
A lot of divorcing couples own a business–something that tends to complicate equitable distribution. Equitable distribution is a fancy word we use to describe how property is divided in Virginia. Equitable distribution, unlike community property, doesn’t necessarily assume that property will be divided 50/50, but that negative and positive monetary and non monetary contributions can...
In Virginia, as in most states, the standard we use for custody cases is the best interests of the child. In Virginia, as in most states, we have a number of factors that comprise, basically, what factors we believe account for what types of choices, when it comes to custody and visitation, are in a...
Some marriages have been over for years before the Mrs. sets foot in our office. Others—well, let’s just say they’re a little more up in the air. Some women come in just wanting a little more information about what might happen if things start heading towards divorce. Others try marriage counseling first, and only come...
As you’re likely already aware, adultery is grounds for divorce in Virginia. Adultery includes consensual sex of any kind (oral, anal, or vaginal – sorry to get graphic!) with a person who is not your spouse, and it’s particularly interesting of the fault based grounds for divorce. Though technically it qualifies you for an immediate...
Every so often, I meet someone who thinks he (well, usually it’s a he) knows more about the divorce than the woman who is supposed to become my client. They try to strong arm the conversation, to steer it in their direction, and to do everything in their power to “help” the divorcing woman. A...