Family Law

A contested divorce is when couples cannot come to an agreement on all of issues and must go before a court to resolve them. Inside you’ll find an overview of information including establishing jurisdiction for the divorce proceedings, what you should know before filing a contested divorce and the process for a contested divorce in Virginia.

Couples who agree to end their marriage and resolve child custody, support, property division and other issues between themselves might be able to avoid the emotional turmoil that often comes with contested divorces. Click the above link for Information on Virginia marriage laws and the termination thereof, grounds used by Virginia no-fault divorce lawyers, preparation of the complaint and documents required for an uncontested divorce.

Premarital agreements are contracts entered into by couples before they get married that address what will become of their property in the event of a divorce. Most people are not thinking about divorce before they get married, but with high divorce rates, there is a possibility you may be facing a divorce in the future. Click above for information on premarital agreements under Virginia law, voluntariness and unconscionable overview under the Premarital Agreement Act, plus who benefits and consequences to consider by doing one.

Separation Agreements, also known as Property Settlement Agreements, play an essential role in protecting married couples who decide to live apart without a divorce and want to formally resolve financial, property and child custody matters. Read the attached overview of how an attorney protects their clients through the process, terms included, separating without moving out and how using an attorney ensures the validity of the agreement.

State laws impose on both parents an obligation to contribute toward the financial support of their children whether they are married to each other or not, and Virginia is no different. An overview of information concerning determining the income of each parent, using child support guidelines, how custody arrangements affect support calculations, payments for child and healthcare, challenging child support payments and support in relation to college expenses.

When married couples decide to go their separate ways and file for a divorce, the assets accumulated during their marriage must be divided. The above link takes you to an overview of property division under Virginia equitable distribution laws, determining separate, marital and hybrid property, and factors courts must consider when dividing divorce assets and debts.

Stepparent adoptions are very common in the USA and can be straightforward if all parties agree. Choosing to adopt your spouse’s child is a huge decision and must be carefully considered. Consult with one of our experienced attorneys knowledgeable on many of the considerations to take into account during the process.