(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...]
How do I choose a family law attorney?
How do I choose a family law attorney? It’s a million dollar question (or, at least, a $2,500-10,000 question). If you’re headed towards a divorce or custody case, how do you know whom to hire to represent you? You probably already know that you’re way better served having an attorney than not (or else you wouldn’t be here, reading this article), but how do you pick just one? Besides that, of course, lawyers don’t have the best reputations as a demographic. So, probably, it feels like an … [Read more...]
When your faith doesn’t allow divorce
When your faith doesn’t allow divorce Believe me, I am far from a spiritual adviser. What I am, though, is someone who has seen a lot of divorce. I’ve seen women in my office make arguments for divorce, and arguments against divorce. Though my general feeling is that most people who say that they don’t believe in divorce haven’t been unhappily married themselves, I do also hear from people who object to divorce on religious grounds. Though I don’t argue for or against divorce in any case … [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...]
Handling Divorce and Custody
I often find that, when reaching a separation agreement isn’t as easy as previously thought, many people (especially those who had hoped to navigate their divorce without the assistance of attorneys) find themselves filing for custody. Though I can certainly understand the appeal of this (after all, custody is THE biggest issue in cases where there are minor children), sometimes it’s not the best course of action. After all, you can go through the court process (with or without attorneys) but … [Read more...]
His, Hers, Ours: Classifying Property in Divorce
When you’re happily married, everything is “ours”. But as soon as one of you starts talking about a potential separation, it’s funny how many things suddenly become “mine” – especially from a man’s perspective. I’ve only ever represented women only in divorce and custody cases, so I can speak most easily and comfortably about a woman’s mindset. For the most part, women aren’t the ones saying, “That’s mine.” Women, in general, are much more giving and understanding of the fact that what was … [Read more...]
Veteran’s Day Specials 2017
Here in Hampton Roads, the military presence is everywhere. From bumper stickers proclaiming “I LOVE JET NOISE” to various deployments and homecomings, we see military all day, every day, everywhere. It’s something we’re proud of, and something that gives us a sense of regional identity. We see uniformed active duty service members sitting in restaurants, pumping gas at the service station, and alongside us pushing their grocery carts. We know, probably better than most places in the US, … [Read more...]
Top Tips for Dealing with a Narcississtic Husband in Virginia Divorce
If you’re married to a narcissist, I don’t need to tell you that your divorce is going to be more difficult than the average divorce. I probably also don’t need to tell you that, chances are, you’ll need an attorney to help you navigate this particular minefield. It’s unfortunate that you’ve found yourself in such a difficult position, but you’re going to need help. A narcissistic husband is so able to twist the facts to support his cause that you may find yourself feeling confused and … [Read more...]
Marriage Vows and Divorce
If you're struggling with the idea of divorce, you're not alone. I've never met a woman yet who didn't take her marriage vows seriously, and who doesn't lament breaking them when she sets foot in my office. In fact, I've talked to dozens of women who specifically tell me how much guilt they experience at the thought of breaking up their marriages. Just last week, a woman said to me that she couldn't believe she said "for better or for worse" and, now that things are worse, she was leaving. … [Read more...]
Divorcing and scared
If you’re divorcing and scared, you’re not alone. It’s normal to be wondering what to expect, especially when you’re headed towards such a major transition. It’s not unusual to wonder whether it will really happen, and fantasize about it either way. And, then, stay up half the night worrying about it—either way. Mixed feelings are normal. Divorcing IS scary, and you’re not the first woman who has frantically searched through our site for more information. In fact, every single day we get some … [Read more...]
