While the drama of movies such as Kramer v. Kramer and its progeny have helped perpetuate the myth that divorce is inevitably a knock-down-drag-out zero-sum-game battle between formerly loving spouses, the reality is that most people entering the divorce process want to work through it with as little drama and strife as possible. There are certainly pitfalls along the way to achieving that result, as divorce does Read More
Can I Start Dating During a Divorce in Virginia?
One of the most common questions divorce lawyers in Virginia (or anywhere for that matter) get from clients is if it is okay to start dating during divorce proceedings. To be clear, there is no law against dating while married; however, there is a law against adultery. Dating or pursuing a relationship while married is a major factor leading to a divorce, but dating while you are in the process of getting a divorce Read More
Do I Need to Go to Court to Get an Uncontested Divorce in Virginia?
Outside of those who work in the legal field, the idea of going to court can be intimidating, to say the least. Many people fear speaking to a judge, or saying the wrong thing, or even just the logistics of knowing where to be and when. Getting a divorce is one of the more common reasons people might have in their lifetime for being in court, but many individuals in Virginia seeking a divorce wonder whether there is Read More
Will Medical Marijuana Affect My Virginia Child Custody Case?
Laws and cultural views toward marijuana, and specifically medical marijuana, are changing rapidly in the United States. Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have at least some laws on the books legalizing medical marijuana, and several states have legalized recreational use (marijuana use remains a federal crime, however). With medical marijuana becoming more accepted on the whole, an important question Read More
Abuse and Custody Proceedings in Virginia: What You Should Know
Domestic abuse is an epidemic across Virginia and the rest of the United States, and it often plays a role in family law proceedings. Abuse is a leading factor that leads to a person seeking divorce and/or custody of a child, and Virginia courts will take domestic abuse into account in determining custody matters. You should speak to an experienced family law attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options Read More
Can the Police Arrest Me if I Refuse to Answer Their Questions?
When a police officer is staring you down with a list of questions - whether in a traffic stop, at your front door, or out in public - it can be hard to know what your rights are. You might have some sense that you do have rights, based on cop and lawyer shows you might have seen or news articles, but trying to figure those rights out in the moment and assert them is a challenge. One of the most well-known rights is Read More
Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer If We Agree on Everything?
As family law attorneys, we know that most people don’t dream of the day when they get to consider hiring a divorce lawyer (although some are certainly more eager than others). When people think of hiring a lawyer, they think of the expense, of having a stranger potentially learn about financial and emotional details in their lives, and the possibility that hiring an attorney might make their partner upset or feel Read More
Does Hiring a Divorce Attorney Make Things Better or Worse?
It’s a refrain you hear both in real life and in the movies and TV when the topic of a pending divorce comes up: “no lawyers.” As lawyers ourselves, we are certainly familiar with the concept that, for some people, the idea of lawyers conjures up a less-than-flattering image of vultures swooping into an already challenging scene and just making things worse. The goal of “no lawyers” can be a tempting option for Read More
Do I Have to Split My Pension/Retirement Benefits With an Ex-Spouse Who Remarries?
Divorce brings with it a lot of surprises, to say the least. The personal trials and changes that come with divorce are, of course, often quite profound and challenging, but, even aside from the emotional adjustment to new events, Virginia divorce law involves many facets that come as a pleasant surprise or rude awakening, depending upon one’s perspective and situation. One issue that often involves unexpected Read More
Can I Modify Custody in Virginia if My Ex-Spouse or I Get Remarried?
One of the biggest life changes that can occur post-divorce is when either you or your spouse decides to get married again. Whether this happens six months after the divorce or six years later, the understanding that you or your ex-spouse is moving on to another spouse can raise all kinds of issues. When kids are involved, however, these issues go beyond just emotional to more practical; day-to-day matters such as: Read More
