We get calls all the time to request second opinions on ongoing cases, particularly in cases where there has been a breakdown in the relationship between the woman and her current attorney. It happens a lot; after all, there’s a lot at stake in a family law case (especially where we’re talking about spousal support and child custody), and it’s hard to entrust something so important to someone that you just don’t know all that well. It’s hard, too, when you’re comparing the performance of your … [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...]
Why won’t a Virginia divorce attorney take my case?
It happens sometimes that a potential client walks into our office, tells us their story, and ultimately walks away without a retainer agreement. There are lots of reasons we might not give a retainer agreement. Sometimes the potential client only comes in to get more information. Sometimes, they're not really ready to move forward just yet, or a more thorough review of the laws reveals that now wouldn't be the best time to move forward, even if the client personally feels like she is ready … [Read more...]
The answer to every Virginia custody and divorce question
If I had a nickel for every time a friend or family member texted me with a random legal question, I could probably retire. But, of course, they aren’t interested in paying, they just want to get information. Sometimes, I wonder why – because I feel like I give the same answer to literally every single question I’m ever asked. I’ll cut straight to the chase. In divorce and custody cases, there’s only ever one answer, it seems like, and it is this: “Yes, if you agree; if you don’t agree, … [Read more...]
Virginia Divorce and Custody Issues: Can I move in with my boyfriend?
Can I move in with my boyfriend? Whenever I’m asked a “Can I?” question, I get a little bit nervous. There’s always a couple of different answers. First and foremost, the answer is yes – you’re a big girl, you can make your own decisions. But it’s almost always a little more complicated than that. You’re not asking, of course, whether you’re physically capable of moving in with your boyfriend, or whatever it is you’re planning on doing. You’re asking me – will it hurt my divorce or custody … [Read more...]
Veteran’s Day
In case you weren’t already aware, Veteran’s Day is coming up! And this year, like the last couple years, we’re running a special to thank female military service members and military wives for their service to our country. If you’re currently serving in the military, or your spouse is currently serving, and you’re considering a divorce or separation, we can definitely help. It’s a pretty scary experience, and there are always a lot of unknowns. You've probably got a lot of questions, and … [Read more...]
Why don’t you do free consultations?
Why don’t you do free consultations? We get phone calls all day long asking about free consultations and pro bono legal services. It’s understandable. Facing a divorce or custody case is a pretty scary thing, and there aren’t court appointed attorneys to help in these types of cases. You may have heard all those Miranda warnings issued on courtroom TV dramas where they end with, “if you can’t afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.” But that doesn’t apply in family law cases. In … [Read more...]
Your attorney said WHAT?!
Divorce and custody cases are high stress situations. It’s not very often that I get an email or a call from a client who isn’t feeling pretty frantic. They want answers, and they want them now, and they can’t sleep until they get them. They’re so worried, and they don’t know how anything will turn out, and they’d give an awful lot to just KNOW. Probably most people hire attorneys. I don’t have actual statistics on that or anything, but I’d say that, eventually, most people eventually … [Read more...]
Can I just get a quick divorce or custody question answered?
It happens all the time. In fact, it happens every single day. Multiple times a day. A lady calls in, with just one, quick, simple family law question to ask about her divorce or custody case, expecting a quick and easy answer. We don’t really give legal advice that way, because to do so would be to give advice in a vacuum—and cases just don’t work that way. A question that looks simple on the surface can be a lot more complicated when you start to get into the weeds, and it’s hard to give a … [Read more...]
