Alcoholism is a widespread issue in the United States, and it’s no small wonder that we see it pretty often in divorce and custody cases. Whether it’s your alleged alcoholism, or whether you’re worrying about your husband’s consumption of alcoholic beverages (and, of course, whether it’s a divorce or a custody case we’re talking about), there are some things you should know as you prepare to face a family law case in the Virginia courts. Alcoholism in Divorce Cases The first thing you should … [Read more...]
Deadbeat Dad Now Wants Custody
Divorce and custody cases do all sorts of things to people. Things that, before the case were on the horizon, would have seemed unthinkable—in both good ways and bad. One of the most annoying things that happens is when a formerly deadbeat dad decides that he now wants custody, or at least wants more parenting time with the children than you might have originally expected given his general lack of interest and involvement up until this point. It’s frustrating, but it’s also incredibly common. … [Read more...]
Attorney Costs in a Separation Agreement Case
It’s scary to hire an attorney. It’s especially scary because you don’t know what to expect. You know it’ll be expensive, but what does that mean? You want to call an attorney to find out what your options are—but you’re also kind of scared. Attorneys don’t really post their rates on their websites, so how do you make sure that you’re not calling a firm that you couldn’t afford? How are attorney costs determined? I feel the same way sometimes. A good example that jumps to mind, to me, is … [Read more...]
Adultery and Spousal Support in Virginia Divorce
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 divorce, it actually almost always ends up taking more time (and certainly costing a great deal more money) than no fault divorce or even fault based divorces with … [Read more...]
Facing a Virginia Child Custody Case
I’m about to have a baby. Well, to tell the truth, I still have a couple weeks before my due date—but I’m also feeling a little bit like everyone I know is on baby watch. I’ve never been so critical of every single feeling I have, wondering if it means something more. It’s my first baby. I’ve never been through this before, so I think that has a little bit to do with the way I’m feeling right now. It’s always really nerve wracking to go through something new, especially when it’s going to … [Read more...]
What’s it like working with a Virginia divorce lawyer?
Almost two years ago now, I was in a car accident. (Let me just say, at the beginning, that it wasn’t my fault, and the other driver was cited.) It was a pretty serious one, too, because it totaled my car (and I loved that car!) and injured me. Years ago, way back when I was in law school, a lawyer/professor of mine gave me a piece of advice. He said, “The attorney who represents himself has a fool for a client.” So, remembering those words, I knew I had to hire a professional to help me with my … [Read more...]
Managing Co Parenting Problems: Our Family Wizard
Sharing custody is hard. When you and your child’s father decide not to stay together, you’ll have to make a commitment, at least to some extent, to sharing the responsibilities related to custody between the two of you. Things that you may not have given a thought to before – like picking up the kids from school or daycare, or communication regarding doctor’s appointments and parent teacher conferences – can become a whole lot more complicated. When you add to an already difficult situation the … [Read more...]
