(Very) Short Virginia Marriages We all make mistakes. Some mistakes are bigger than others, of course, but we all make them. If you were recently married, but have realized that it was a big mistake and you’re ready to work on finalizing a divorce… well, I don’t know the specifics yet, but I’d venture to say that it’s not even that big of a mistake. Sure, it’s a bit of a complication, and you’re probably feeling a little bit embarrassed, but a couple months of marriage and then a quick … [Read more...]
Annulment and Fraud
Annulment and Fraud I get lots of requests for more information about annulments. Hey, I get it! For one thing, they’re pretty prevalent in the media, and there seems to be this general misconception that an annulment is an easy thing to get – especially if the marriage is really short, or if it wasn’t consummated, or something like that. The truth is, though, that in my nearly 9 years with the firm, I’ve never even done one. I can’t think of another attorney who I’ve worked with who has … [Read more...]
Divorce After Just a Few Months
Divorce After Just a Few Months There’s no need to be embarrassed. Mistakes happen and, trust me, we’ve all seen much, much worse than a really short term marriage. In fact, in a lot of ways, a super short term marriage is best. Personally, you may have some explaining to do to family and friends. But legally? There’s not very much that’s marital after just a few months, so there’s not a lot to divide – which keeps the potential for disputes to a minimum, and usually keeps these cases out of … [Read more...]
Virginia Annulment and Divorce Options
It’s only in the movies that people dramatically break up before the wedding. Or, at least, that’s what it seems like to me. As many weddings as I’ve been to (and been in!), no one has broken up at the altar. Of all the people I know, only one has even broken a serious engagement. It’s really not all that common. For a lot of reasons, I’m sure, but I suspect most of it has to do with pride—who wants to admit to all their family and friends that they were wrong? After making a fuss and … [Read more...]
What does a Virginia divorce lawyer do?
What does a Virginia divorce lawyer do? It’s a question we get all the time, and one it feels like we’re constantly answering. Do you take this type of case? Or this? What about this one? It seems like, when it comes to what exactly a family law attorney does, a lot of people are really confused.What does a Virginia divorce lawyer do? It’s a question we get all the time, and one it feels like we’re constantly answering. Do you take this type of case? Or this? What about this one? It … [Read more...]
I can’t get a Virginia annulment. What next?
If you’re like most women, you can’t get an annulment in Virginia. Annulments are pretty difficult to get, and only apply in a couple of super narrow circumstances. (For more information about annulments, or to find out whether you might qualify, click here.) I definitely understand the appeal of an annulment. It would be nice to think that you could erase your bad marriage and, legally at least, make it like it never happened. That’s rarely the case, though, and, even though it’s mostly for … [Read more...]
How do I get an annulment in Virginia?
Things aren’t working out and, for one reason or another, you are probably wondering whether divorce is the only option available to you. Maybe your husband lied to you about something critically important; a lie, frankly, without which you would not have married him. Maybe you realized your mistake really quickly; maybe you realized it, in fact, right after you said “I do.” There are all sorts of things that can go wrong in a marriage and, for some reason, you don’t feel like a divorce is the … [Read more...]
Virginia Annulment
Marriages end for all sorts of reasons. In most cases, marriages end in divorce, and it’s cut and dry and fairly simple. Though different issues, like a business valuation, complicated equitable distribution, or a custody battle can drag things out and make an otherwise simple divorce take longer, most divorces follow a predictable pattern. But not everyone is convinced that they should get a divorce, even when there’s no question that they’ve entered a marriage that they’d like to get out of. … [Read more...]
6 Big Misconceptions in Family Law
We all know a lot about how the law works because we watch TV. Right? Well, no—actually, it’s quite the opposite. We don’t know very much about the law, but most of us do know just enough to be truly dangerous. There are courtroom dramas right and left, and what most people really know is just enough to set them up for frustration and disappointment later on. There are lots of misconceptions when it comes to family law cases. Family law is, in a lot of ways, very, very different from other … [Read more...]
