Blog & FAQs

Under Virginia law, both parents have a duty to provide support to their minor children, regardless of whether the parents are currently married or were married in the past. Child support cases usually occur following a divorce or where the father has not married the mother of a child and is not ...

Spousal support, or “alimony” as it is often called, can be awarded in a Virginia divorce matter in a variety of payment structures: it can be awarded in a lump sum; it can be awarded in periodic payments for a specific duration (e.g. 3 years); or it can be awarded in periodic payments for an und...

A parent who does not have custody of a child (also called a noncustodial parent) in Virginia will usually have a right to visitation with the child, even where the parents were never married. However, exercising this right may require the parent to obtain a court order. Below, we provide a brief...

When there is a dispute over the custody of a child in a Virginia court, that court is going to primarily look to the two biological parents of the child in determining who should have custody. It is possible for other people such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles to win custody of a child, but t...

At the same time that divorce rates go down for younger Americans, they are on the rise for older adults. Because older couples have had more years to build up financial assets, this can often mean that there is more financially at stake in divorce, and judges presiding over marriages of longer d...

For many parents going through a divorce, being able to guide the religious upbringing of their children is a major concern. This is especially the case when the parents are of a different faith, or one parent is opposed to the child being exposed to any religious teaching or community. This can,...

When you are approached by law enforcement – either in the form of local police or state or federal investigators and prosecutors – to speak about matters you or may or may not have been involved in, you might try to remember all the things you've heard about your constitutional rights as they ar...

“Divorce” and “easy” are usually not words spoken together in the same breath, and it's not surprising that this is the case. After all, divorce involves huge emotional, financial, and lifestyle changes: moving out into a new residence, leaving the partner you've been with for years for uncertain...

When it starts to become clear that your marriage is headed for divorce, even an uncontested divorce, you may find yourself facing a whole range of challenges. You might be worried about what's going to happen to your finances following the divorce, how this decision will impact your relationship...

“Separation” is one of the most commonly misunderstood and misused words in the area of divorce and family law. Couples often will describe themselves as “separated” when legally they are not considered to be separated. To be legally “separated” in Virginia, various elements must be met that ofte...

Deciding to end a marriage is never an easy decision. When the time comes to part ways, emotions can take over, and making decisions can seem overwhelming. In some instances, people may wish that the marriage had never happened in the first place. That's typically when words like annulment start ...

Divorce is rarely a sudden event, but is usually the resolution of a gradual breakdown of the marriage over a course of several years. Every marriage has its difficulties, and many marriages have been restored even where a split seemed likely, but there are also times when it is in your best inte...

Anyone who has been through a divorce knows that it is an emotionally trying process. Even the most amicable of splits can involve disagreements, arguments, and difficult compromises. Having to deal with a difficult spouse just makes the already-traumatic process that much harder. Even if it seem...

Divorce is never easy. Even the most amicable of splits can be emotionally trying when it comes down to dealing with logistics. That stress is only compounded by lengthy and costly court proceedings. The desire to alleviate the stressful formalities of traditional divorce proceedings is leading m...

Dads going through the divorce or other custody process in Virginia often believe the system is rigged against them. This frustration can boil over into a cynicism about the family law process, causing them to give up their rights or to act out in ways that may hurt their case. No doubt that fami...

Maybe you've already been through the divorce process in Virginia, or maybe you're just looking into your options for a divorce and trying to wrap your head around the sometimes overwhelming list of issues you'll need to deal with if you decide to move forward with a divorce. For women who have t...

When two parents are working through the divorce process and negotiating issues like divisions of property, custody, spousal support, and child support, so many surprising and new questions can arise. After all, the state (usually) doesn't step in when you are functioning as a married family to d...

The life changes from divorce are difficult for children, who need stability, security, and routine. If obtaining sole custody of your children is your objective, it is likely that you have some compelling reasons motivating this decision. You may fear for their safety, or worse, you may feel app...

As family law attorneys, we work with clients facing difficult emotional challenges related to going through a divorce, obtaining spousal and child support, and trying to adjust to life after a separation or divorce while dealing with the demands of the law. But one of the more emotionally grueli...

You both want a divorce. You and your spouse have agreed to all the outstanding issues such as property division, support, custody and visitation, and you want to minimize the strife and arguments and simply go your separate ways. So, what's the fastest way to do it? An uncontested divorce means ...

Life goes on after divorce and changes in your life may take you out of the city or state. You may be offered a higher-paying job in a different location, need to relocate to be near your family, or remarry a person who lives in another area. There are many valid reasons to relocate after a divor...

When couples divorce in Virginia, marital assets are divided in a process called “equitable distribution,” giving due to consideration to the contributions of both spouses and various other factors, as required under state law. In some cases, a spouse will conceal certain assets to attempt to avo...

Divorce is often an emotionally traumatic experience, bringing changes in your income, assets, family structure, and parental responsibilities, and can turn your life upside down. It is a complex legal process requiring major decisions on important issues that can affect your future lifestyle and...

If you are like most people, you have worked hard for the wealth and assets acquired during your marriage. Whether you arrived where you are through sound investments, a professional occupation, or building a business from the ground up, you have certainly invested yourself in gathering the asset...

Divorce can be a stressful and complicated process. The outcome can have a significant impact on your future income and assets, in addition tothe custody and care of your children. If you are going through a divorce, you should consider a family law attorney with experience and dedication to ensu...