Though the laws vary (sometimes dramatically!) from state-to-state, the law in Virginia is that spousal support terminates in three specific circumstances: (1) the death of either party, (2) the remarriage of the recipient party, and (3) the continued cohabitation of the recipient party in a relationship analogous to marriage for a period of one year...
Family law – which includes divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support – is a particular area of law that is incredibly state-specific. What you find to be true in one state is not necessarily true in another. Even states that are nearby – like, for example, North Carolina and Virginia – are...
Is it time to separate? That may be a strategic question and not just an emotional one. In Virginia, we classify separate property as anything that was earned, purchased, or acquired before the marriage or after the date of separation. (We also include anything you inherited in your sole name, anything that was a gift...
The holidays are a tough time in general, but they’re even tougher if you’re new to the whole separation and divorce thing. The first set of holidays is, I think, the hardest, but that doesn’t mean that each year doesn’t present its own difficulties. My advice with respect to holiday custody and visitation is the...
When a marriage starts to fall apart, it’s definitely not the most comfortable experience – especially if you and your soon-to-be ex are still living under the same roof. In most family law cases, the facts really, really matter, so its hard to make generalized, one-size-fits-all type statements. If you’re living in the same home,...
I’ve never come across a parent who admits that he (or she) is deliberately making things difficult on the children. No, almost every single parent I’ve met – including the opposing parties – insist that its all about the kids. But it’s not as though there’s only one way to move through a separation, divorce,...
In case you haven’t heard, we just re-launched our super popular custody seminar, Custody Bootcamp for Moms, back in July – after a several year break because of the pandemic. Custody Bootcamp for Moms is an intense, all day seminar – taught by attorney Caitlin Walters, who has practiced family law in Virginia for...
In the beginning stages of planning a divorce or custody case, things can be especially tricky. In addition to wanting to be respectful and tactful towards your partner, you want to plan strategically how you should move forward. You also want to stay safe. No matter what the particular circumstances of your case, you deserve...