Practice Areas

• Separation and Marital Settlement Agreements
• Child Support
• Spousal Support
• Divorce
• Military Divorce
• Equitable Distribution
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Domestic Violence and Allegations of Abuse

Recent Blog

Divorce

• Spousal Support is not the same as child support

Equitable Distribution

• "separate property" in divorce is sometimes marital

Child Custody and Visitation

• Is child custody law in Virginia unfair to fathers?

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Library

Child Support

• Understand the Interplay Between Spousal Support and Child Support (...and be sure your lawyer does, as well)

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Divorce

• Understand the many differences between spousal support (alimony) and child support before you begin your divorce or separation!

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Equitable Distribution

• "I owned it before we got married....it's mine, isn't it??"

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Child Custody and Visitation

• Virginia's System of "Concurrent Jurisdiction" on Child Custody, Visitation, and Support
• Think carefully before you rush into Court to have your child custody or visitation case tried before a Judge

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Virginia Divorce and Family Law Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We hope that these questions and answers will help you to gain some understanding of the laws governing your legal situation.  But please do not forget that every case, including yours, is completely unique.  There is no subsitute for getting face-to-face, one-on-one advice from an experienced attorney, and so you should not take the following questions and answers as advice on your particular situation.  Schedule a consultation with us so we can discuss your case fully.

Child Support

• Can child support in Virginia be ordered to continue past the age of 18?
• Can a Virginia court order that a parent pay college expenses for a child?
• How is child support calculated under Virginia law?

Divorce

• If I can prove that my spouse cheated on me, does that mean I will get more of the property in the divorce?
• Do I have to be separated from my spouse for a year to get a final divorce?
• My spouse and I just separated.  Do I need to file for "legal separation?"
• My spouse and I are living in separate rooms and not sleeping together.  Does that mean we are "legally separated?"
• My spouse and I are separated.   Is it ok to date another person?
• My spouse and I have fought and argued for years but are still living together.  Can I get a divorce based on "irreconcilable differences" in Virginia?
• What are the "grounds of divorce" in Virginia?
• How long does it take to be divorced after I file?
• Do I have to go to court and have a trial to get a divorce?
• My spouse and I are in agreement on everything.  Should I try to draft my own agreement and have my spouse sign it?

Equitable Distribution

• Are debts treated the same as assets in a divorce?
• Can the Court order that my spouse name me as beneficiary of the survivor benefits associated with his/her pension?
• The house is titled in my name.  Can my spouse claim a share of the equity?
• Can the court divide retirement benefits between spouses?
• Can my spouse get a share of my social security benefits?
• Am I entitled to fifty percent of the property my spouse and I own?
• My spouse and I are in agreement on the division of our property and support.  Do we have to go to court for any reason?
• My spouse and I have a lot of credit card debt.  Can the court divide those debts between us?

Child Custody and Visitation

• What is "legal custody?"
• What kinds of things does the court consider in making a custody determination?
• I want to move out of state with the children.   Do I need the court's permission?
• My child is 16 years old and wants to live with me.   At what age can a child make the custody decision?
• Do grandparents have the right to visit with their grandchildren?
• I want more visitation with my children but my former spouse won't agree.   Can my visitation order be changed?
• When parents live in different states, which state court has the power to decide custody?
• Is my child entitled to an attorney in the custody case?

Spousal Support

• My spouse just moved out and says the mortgage and bills are my responsibility.   Can the court issue an order to make him/her contribute to them?
• How is spousal support calculated?
• I am paying spousal support but I want to retire.   Can my spousal support payment be adjusted?
• My spouse has threatened to cancel my health insurance.  Can the court order that coverage to continue?

Schedule a Consultation

If you'd like to schedule a consultation, call us at 540-659-2184 or fill out the form below:

FAQ

Child Support

• Can child support in Virginia be ordered to continue past the age of 18?
• Can a Virginia court order that a parent pay college expenses for a child?
• How is child support calculated under Virginia law?

Divorce

• If I can prove that my spouse cheated on me, does that mean I will get more of the property in the divorce?
• Do I have to be separated from my spouse for a year to get a final divorce?
• My spouse and I just separated.  Do I need to file for "legal separation?"

Equitable Distribution

• Are debts treated the same as assets in a divorce?
• Can the Court order that my spouse name me as beneficiary of the survivor benefits associated with his/her pension?
• The house is titled in my name.  Can my spouse claim a share of the equity?

Child Custody and Visitation

• What is "legal custody?"
• What kinds of things does the court consider in making a custody determination?
• I want to move out of state with the children.   Do I need the court's permission?

Spousal Support

• My spouse just moved out and says the mortgage and bills are my responsibility.   Can the court issue an order to make him/her contribute to them?
• How is spousal support calculated?
• I am paying spousal support but I want to retire.   Can my spousal support payment be adjusted?

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