For many people, a pet is another member of the family, but what happens to that pet if a couple decides to get a divorce? The laws in states are changing when it comes to pet custody in a divorce, so it is important to know where your state stands and how to better your chances of getting your pet in a divorce. New Pet Custody Laws New pet custody laws in Alaska, Illinois, and California are changing the way Read More
What to Expect from a Military Divorce in Virginia
Divorce is often a complex and stressful time in a person’s life, but when one or both spouses are in the military, the process becomes even more complicated given the state and federal laws that grant certain protections to service members who are active in the military. If you are considering a military divorce in Virginia, it is critical that you understand how these laws may impact your Read More
What Happens to Student Loan Debt in a Virginia Divorce?
During a Virginia divorce, both the assets and debts of the spouses are totaled and split. This can include student loan debt, which many people in Virginia have incurred and are still paying off when their divorce is initiated. What happens to that student loan debt in the division of assets and debts during a divorce? Who is responsible for the payments? Like most other states, it depends on the situation of the Read More
Why You Should Still Hire an Attorney if You are Getting an Uncontested Divorce
Despite the name, many issues can still arise during an uncontested divorce. While many people believe that they do not need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce, there are many reasons why having a lawyer by your side in an uncontested divorce may benefit your divorce proceedings. Call or contact a family law attorney in your area to discuss how having a lawyer during an uncontested divorce could help Read More
What to do if You Believe Your Spouse is Trying to Hide Assets During Your Virginia Divorce
When spouses divorce in Virginia, the courts use a process known as equitable distribution to split their assets between them. A number of factors are considered by the courts when dividing assets, but sometimes a spouse will try to hide assets in order to avoid the equitable distribution process. A recent study showed that more than three in 10 married adults have been deceptive with their spouse about money during Read More
Big Changes Coming to Spousal Support (Alimony) Taxation in 2019
Much attention has been given to the corporate and individual tax rates that have been cut as a result of the new tax bill signed into law by President Trump in late 2017. But one of the most significant yet less discussed provisions of the new tax law is the changes to taxation for spousal support (or “alimony” as it is often called), which affects both the person paying the spousal support and the person receiving Read More
How is Child Custody Determined in Virginia?
Child custody determinations are always made with the child’s best interests in mind, but the considerations vary slightly from state to state. In Virginia, child custody is determined by a number of factors in the state’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. It is important to understand how child custody is determined in Virginia in order to have the best chance at gaining custody of your child in a Read More
Deciding Whether Mediation is Right for Your Virginia Divorce
“Mediation” and “divorce” may at first seem like contradictory concepts to those entering into the divorce process in Virginia - after all, if two people cannot find a way to stay together, how are they going to be able to work out the complex issues of their divorce together? But more and more divorcing couples in Virginia and elsewhere are indeed finding that mediation is the most mutually beneficial way to Read More
FAQ About Divorce Mediation in Virginia
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
