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Protective Orders and Exclusive Possession of the Home

By Katie Carter | July 24, 2023

There are not many things scarier than finding yourself in an abusive situation – except, of course, if you have minor children who are surrounded by it, too. Once you decide that it’s not getting better and it’s time to do something about it, you probably started researching protective orders. In Virginia, there are…

What happens after I file for VA custody and visitation?

By Katie Carter | July 17, 2023

Up until the court formally decides custody and visitation – or, alternatively, the parties enter into a signed custody agreement – there’s no formal child custody, visitation, or child support. For many couples, especially the ones that stay together (regardless of whether they’re married), that’s enough and it doesn’t go further than that. Even for…

When does a child in Virginia get to choose a custodial parent?

By Katie Carter | June 21, 2023

The internet is a dangerous place. It’s a place where its difficult to tell an expert from a novice, and where each freely, generously, and emphatically give their own opinions. Sometimes, the two coexist side by side, and it can be hard to determine which is correct. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve…

Will my child have to testify in Virginia?

By Katie Carter | January 16, 2023

In almost every case where child custody is a component – which can be either a petition or a modification of child custody, visitation, and/or child support at the juvenile court level, or a divorce where there are minor children involved – the mothers tell me that their main concern is their children. On some…

What happens in Virginia divorce court?

By Katie Carter | December 7, 2022

It’s intimidating to go to court. It’s intimidating to do anything, really, when the process and routines are unfamiliar to you, but it’s especially true when those processes result in splitting the assets and liabilities you’ve spent your adulthood accumulating, not to mention determining custody and visitation of your minor children. There’s a lot at…

Corroborating Witnesses in Virginia

By Katie Carter | July 15, 2022

One of the more annoying features of the law is that it changes. It changes with some frequency, and usually on July 1st of each year. The changes in the law that are implemented don’t always have to do with us, but sometimes they do – and then, of course, whatever I’ve written up…

Harassment during Virginia Divorce

By Katie Carter | February 22, 2021

My sister in law asked me a question the other day – for a friend of a friend – and it really irritated me. Not that she would ask me a question; that’s fine, we’re really pretty close. But the question itself irked me. Her friend had a friend, from a really long time ago,…

What does a corroborating witness need to say?

By Katie Carter | February 5, 2021

In an action for divorce in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a corroborating witness is needed. It’s not enough to just grant a divorce based upon the testimony of the husband and wife; the statute requires that a third party be able to affirm the allegations of the moving party. It would be nice if…

What NOT to Wear To Divorce and Custody Court

By Katie Carter | February 3, 2021

Going to court is intimidating. Especially in this day in age, when it’s not only a question of facing your husband and/or child’s father, but a pretty significant COVID-19 risk. There are a lot of things about court – and contested cases – that we can’t control. But there are some things we can…