If you’re here, you probably already know that you have to be separated for one year to get a divorce in Virginia. The only two exceptions are if (1) you have a signed separation agreement, and (2) you have no minor children born or adopted by the parties of the marriage, and if (and this...
What happens before you’ve been separated a year in Virginia?
Most of the questions that we get – at least in the early stages of a separation or divorce – is a basic one. “What should I do first?” It’s a good question, too, because I think it’s always smart to go into something knowing what to expect and having at least the outlines of...
There are very few things as anxiety-inducing as having to go to court, but this is especially true in the case of an emergency motion. In Virginia, one party can file and ask for a hearing to be held on an emergency basis; it is up to the court to either grant or dismiss that...
I’ll be the first to admit: I have a bit of an unfair sampling. As a family law attorney, the cases with which I am familiar are the ones where the individuals involved – or at least one of them – sought the advice of an attorney. I know that not everyone does. I’m...
I know, I know. If you’re married to a narcissist – whether diagnosed or undiagnosed – you KNOW how miserable they can make life. And, if left to their own devices, they’d probably love to make divorce difficult, too. After all, if there’s one thing a narcissist (or a high conflict person or an abusive...
I hope you’ll join us on June 5th as we sponsor another fun-filled evening at the Ocean View Fishing Pier as part of our Girl’s Night Out event series! You can get more information on the event or register to attend here, but I’ll give you a quick run down. What’s Girl’s Night Out? ...
I had a consult the other day where something happened that had never happened to me before. I spent a very pleasant (for me) hour talking to a prospective client about her upcoming divorce. (I say it was pleasant for me because I liked her; I assume much less pleasant for her, though, because although...
If you don’t want to have a trial in your court case, you have to settle your case first. In a divorce or custody context, settlement is achieved when there is a signed agreement negotiated between the parties. In a divorce case, you would sign and negotiate a separation agreement – a legal contract that...