When you retain a divorce lawyer, you have two options: (1) separation agreement, and (2) divorce. Either way, you’re taking necessary steps towards divorce – but the process might look different depending on which way you go. Let’s talk about it. Either you and your ex agree how you’ll divide things – or the judge...
Separation Agreement and Divorce
By most accounts, by this point in 2026, men and women are (mostly) treated equally under the law – at least, as it relates to spousal support. (If nothing else, but that’s a story for another day.) We don’t call it alimony anymore, at least not in Virginia. In most states, terms like spousal support...
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...
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...
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...
If you, like everyone else, are reading Belle Burden’s memoir on marriage, Strangers, you probably noticed that prenups feature dramatically in the storyline. I have made no secret of the fact that, over the years, I do not have a strong positive opinion of prenups. In fact, my experience with prenuptial agreements throughout the years...
Another year, another scholarship competition! When Kristen D. Hofheimer, owner and managing partner, passed away in 2019 after a long struggle with breast cancer, we wanted to do something to honor her memory. Her dad – Charlie Hofheimer – used to joke about what an intellectual she was; how she turned down a full ride...
One of the unique things about Virginia when it comes to divorce is that we still allow fault based grounds for divorce! Over the years, many states have modernized to the point that they only allow no fault grounds, but we’re one of the few holdouts. We still allow adultery (as well as sodomy...