What if a shelter in place order is issued? What about visitation? I keep hearing a lot of “what ifs” lately, and it makes sense. There hasn’t been another pandemic like this in living memory, and these are exceptional times. Every morning these days, I get up and check the news, terrified of what I might see. I keep seeing news articles and hearing rumors that suggest that total lock down is on the way. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t – but, either way, as a mama, it’s scary. And you’ve … [Read more...]
How Will COVID-19 Affect My Family Law Case?
First of all, we are thinking about all of our clients and all women and children in Virginia at this time. No matter your life circumstance – whether you have kids, whether you are elderly, or whether you are just trying to keep your job, everything right now is hard. Schools in Virginia are closed for at least two weeks, perhaps indefinitely. Businesses have reduced hours, and we are limited to take-out and delivery at restaurants. Even the courts have limited their availability to only … [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...]
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...]
April Girl’s Night Out with Hofheimer Family Law
April Girl’s Night Out with Hofheimer Family Law If you made it to our Valentine’s Day Girl’s Night Out event at the Banque, you know what I’m talking about! We started our Girl’s Night Out event series several years back after Kristen Hofheimer, our former managing partner, noticed a need among a lot of her clients. Complaining of losing friendships, specifically “couples” friendships, our clients seemed isolated and unable to connect with the people to whom they were formerly closest. Divorce … [Read more...]
I just need easy Virginia divorce paperwork!
I just need easy Virginia divorce paperwork I hear things like this all the time. “I just need an easy uncontested divorce,” or “I need my divorce paperwork filed.” Sometimes, it even takes on a sort of insulting tone, “I just need a paper pusher to finalize this divorce.” “There are no issues,” I’m assured. “It’s just an easy divorce.” Is there any such thing? Well, sure. It can be pretty easy, though that’s not to suggest by any stretch that what attorneys do when it comes to divorce is … [Read more...]
When do I give up divorce negotiation and go to court?
When do I give up divorce negotiation and go to court? It’s the million dollar question: “When do I give up negotiation and go to court?” At some point in many cases, there’s a time where it seems like further negotiations are pointless. When you’re at an impasse, and you just want your divorce finalized already, it’s easy to wonder whether going to court wouldn’t just be easier. In many cases, the answer is simple. You go to court when the financial advantage to doing so will likely … [Read more...]
Form Internet Separation Agreement
Form Internet Separation Agreement Reason number 2390123 I am more than a little terrified of random form documents that people find on the internet… Okay, well, honestly, in this case, two reasons: (1) people put in things that are in the form agreement “because it was on the form and just thought it needed to be in there” and (2) they put in provisions that aren’t enforceable or don’t make sense and then end up disappointed or annoyed and also in a position where they have to spend a lot of … [Read more...]
Are we separated already?
Are we separated already? There’s a lot of confusing surrounding separation in Virginia, and, honestly, it’s really no wonder. In Virginia, there’s no such thing as going down to the courthouse and formally filing some document that indicates officially, once and for all, that you and your soon to be ex husband are legally separated. That would be nice, though, wouldn’t it? But it just doesn’t work that way, as much as you (or I, really!) might wish that it did. And, anyway, it’s not really … [Read more...]
Do I have to let my former in laws see the kids?
Do I have to let my former in laws see the kids? Ugh, in laws! I totally get it, especially where custody and visitation is concerned. I’m a mom, too, and I used to feel like before I had kids, it was really not such a big deal. You’d see each other at holidays and keep in touch, but it wasn’t an overwhelming interference in your day to day life. You start thinking that’s how it’s going to be all the time. And then, BOOM! You have kids, and suddenly they want to see you three times a week and … [Read more...]
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