How do I get sole custody? All moms want sole custody. Hey, I get it – I’m a mom, too. And let’s just say that I share your belief that no one can do it – that is, mom my child – better than I can. And, in your case, there may very well be other issues, too. There’s often domestic violence, or differences in temperament and parenting style. Maybe he has mental health issues, or problems with drug, alcohol, or other substance abuse. There can be lots of reasons -- good, bad, and otherwise – … [Read more...]
Can I move out of the house?
Can I move out of the house? Even though most people these days live with their soon-to-be ex husband for a period of time during their legal separation, for most people it’s not a whole lot of fun. For others, it’s impossible. Depending on the specific factors that brought your marriage to this point, living together may be more or less feasible in some cases than others. (In some, it can be downright unsafe!) But probably you’ve heard about desertion as grounds for divorce – and desertion … [Read more...]
3 Ways a Virginia Prenup Can Hurt You
3 ways a Virginia prenup can hurt you Prenuptial agreements aren’t a whole lot of fun. In almost every case I’ve ever seen, one party has the other party completely over a barrel, and it diminishes any amount of bargaining power that she might have otherwise had. But, then again, that’s the point, isn’t it? There’d be no real need for a prenuptial agreement if all things were relatively equal. The “need” for a prenuptial agreement arises when there’s already an uneven amount of bargaining … [Read more...]
Telling family and friends that you’re getting a divorce
It’s hard to explain to family and friends that your marriage is over. Probably, even though they may have seen some of the less attractive sides of your relationship, you’ve still gone above and beyond NOT to let them see him in a terrible light. Probably, in many ways, they’ve accepted him as one of their own, and rely on him for things that they would be loathe to give up. I had a client one time whose husband was her dad’s doctor. For another client, her husband managed her parent’s … [Read more...]
Can I sign this prenuptial agreement?
Can I sign this prenuptial agreement? Women frequently bring us in already drafted agreements for our review and comment. Usually, a drafted agreement – whether it’s a prenuptial agreement, a marital agreement, or a separation agreement – includes some sort of language that says there’s been a full and frank disclosure of the assets and liabilities, and also that each party has had an opportunity to consult counsel with respect to the agreement. A full and frank disclosure of the assets and … [Read more...]
Custody Bootcamp for Moms: Seminar for Virginia Moms
Custody Bootcamp for Moms: Seminar for Virginia Moms On Wednesday, I wrote about our divorce seminar for Virginia women. Today, I wanted to tell you a little bit more about our custody seminar. Our custody seminar in particular is really intense. It’s an intense, all day seminar, designed to teach Virginia moms what they need to know to represent themselves at the juvenile court level in a custody, visitation, and/or child support case. As someone who attended law school, I can tell you that … [Read more...]
Why do you represent women only?
Why do you represent women only? So, if you’ve found your way here, you probably already know that we’re different from every single other family law firm in the Commonwealth of Virginia. That’s right – there’s no other law firm in the Commonwealth that represents women only in divorce and custody cases. There are, however, two other firms dedicated to representing men only in Virginia. Why are there other firms that represent men only, and only one that represents women only? The answer is … [Read more...]
Can you recommend a private investigator for me? In family law cases, people use private investigators for all sorts of things. Usually, it’s to catch a cheating husband. But, sometimes, we also use private investigators to watch dad during his parenting time, or to discover some unsavory business practices in which he might be engaged. There can be tons and tons of reasons to hire a private investigator and, if you’re one of the people who are wondering about how you should go about it, … [Read more...]
Can I fire my family law attorney?
Can I fire my family law attorney? It’s not like it’s something that happens every day, but, sometimes, things don’t work out between a client and an attorney. Sometimes, it’s the fault of the attorney (hey, you already know it – we’re not perfect); sometimes, it’s the fault of the client; sometimes, it’s situational. You can fire your family law attorney – you’re not stuck with representation that just isn’t working for you, for whatever reason. I’ve seen lots of craziness happen in these … [Read more...]
I drafted a Separation Agreement, but he won’t sign. What next?
I drafted a Separation Agreement, but he won’t sign. What next? You’ve agonized over the decision for months – sometimes, even years. After reflection and prayer and therapy and everything else you could think of to try, you’re ready to move forward with your divorce. I’ve seen it so many times! The initial consultation is often filled with tears, but, by the end, the woman walks out of our office a little taller, a little straighter, a little bit more confident. By the end of the process? … [Read more...]
