Well, it finally happened – we’re moving forward into this century (hats off to you, COVID-19, for pushing us to push the envelope!) and moving our live monthly divorce seminars to a digital webinar format. It really does feel momentous. In the 9 years since I’ve been with the firm, I’ve had to present the divorce seminar, which we’ve called Second Saturday because that’s when we host it, more often than not. That feels like a really long time, but some of us, like Sheera Herrell, have been … [Read more...]
How do I get him to pay for my Virginia divorce?
We can all put divorce right up there on the tippy top of the list of things we don’t want to pay for, right? Even if you want the divorce itself, you don’t really want to pay the costs associated with it. A joke I hear all the time – especially when I tell random people what I do for a living – is, “You know why divorce is expensive?” And then they chuckle and say, “Because it’s worth it!” While you may agree, at least in part, it’s a little discomfiting to have very little idea of the total … [Read more...]
Divorce help when you can’t afford an attorney
Family law is hard. I know you know, if you're facing a family law case. And you can bet your boots I know, because it's what I do day in and day out. I understand the love a parent has for a child, having two of my own. I understand the degree to which a loss (like a divorce) affects the financial future of a family. In fact, most therapists find divorce to be akin to a death in terms of the trauma inflicted on the people involved. Because of the nature of my work, it is very stressful. I … [Read more...]
Divorce and Compromise
A friend sent me a message the other day about divorce to ask me about her divorce. It happens all the time! She had gotten an inheritance from her grandmother, she said, and used it to buy a car and a trailer, but that her soon to be ex was keeping it hostage and she couldn’t convince him that it was hers. (Under Virginia law, inherited property is separate property.) “Should I just give him half and move on?” she asked. In this case, I get it. These two people really didn’t have anything … [Read more...]
Preparing for Virginia Divorce
Sun Tzu wrote, "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting," and I think it’s a quote that applies really well to family law in general. To be fair, almost all of my cases come in with both parties feeling pretty agitated. Many clients tell me that they think their case will be a fight. It’s always a little hard for me to tell, since they all say the same thing, but, then again, probably 90% or more of our cases ultimately end up settling, so… Some do end up as knock-down, … [Read more...]
(Very) Short Virginia Marriages
(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...]
Fee Waivers and Scholarships for Hofheimer Family Law Seminars and Events
Fee Waivers and Scholarships for Hofheimer Family Law Seminars and Events If you’ve been following us for any period of time, you know that education for Virginia women facing custody and divorce cases is kind of our schtick. There’s no one else out there with divorce and custody related information specific to the Commonwealth of Virginia and targeted exclusively to women. The goal, of course, is to give women the information they need to make the best decisions possible for themselves and … [Read more...]
Girl’s Night Out Valentine’s Day at the Banque
Valentine’s Day: February 13th at the Banque Already dreading Valentine’s Day? Or just thinking about alternatives to the traditional red rose dinner with your, well, whoever? We’ve got a solution for you! Complaints about Valentine’s Day were common enough that something like five or six years ago we decided to start hosting a Valentine’s Day Girl’s Night Out event. We’ve hosted these events now for a long time, so we know how much it means to women (especially women who are going through a … [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...]
