Virginia divorce proceedings are about as easy or hard as those of our five bordering states. Fortunately, Virginia does not follow the example of a neighbor to the north: Vermont requires a year’s residency, six months’ separation, and three-month decree nisi waiting period — 21 long months. If you file in the right Virginia jurisdiction, you usually can be divorced ...
Ruffling is how birds raise their feathers for cleaning. They transform from sleek flying machines into puffy pincushions so they can preen away dirt, dust, and mites. Ruffle also means to annoy or fluster. You definitely do not want to ruffle your wife — in any sense of the word — when seeking a divorce. Minimize Ruffled Feathers Perhaps you ...
Child support payments in Virginia are neither reward nor punishment. They are intended to keep children happily living the lives they came to expect before Mom and Dad went their separate ways. If both parents want to put a halt to child support, is Virginia okay with that? Okay, Why Child Support? Virginia requires child support payments so that Virginia’s ...
Parental alienation syndrome first got its label back in 1985, when Dr. Richard Gardner first described distinctive behaviors in children that included extreme (unwarranted) fear, disrespect or hostility towards a parent. That was 35 years ago, meaning we have had time to see and study the corrosive effects of this emotional abuse. What do we find in adults who had parental ...
Alongside the GI Bill, TRICARE is probably one of the best benefits this country has provided for its military men and women. This valuable, comprehensive health coverage provides military members and their families with dental, medical, vision, mental health, and prescription health insurance protection. It is so valuable, many divorcing couples in Virginia worry over keeping Tricare benefits after divorce. ...
If you want to have your name remembered for posterity, consider entangling yourself in a courtroom drama. Let’s build the worst possible case: a veteran, disabled by dedicated service to our country, suffers the disintegration of his marriage. His divorced wife sues for spousal support. This is neither a country song nor a Hallmark channel movie. This is a legal ...
Are you a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty person? We ask because everyone has heard that old chestnut, “Half of all marriages end in divorce.” Well, that also means half don’t end in divorce. We are not half-full/half-empty people, though. We look at where that pitcher of our favorite beverage is, so we can top off the glass. People have other ...
The law is plainly written. Virginia Code § 18.2-57.2 is titled, “Assault and battery against a family or household member; penalty.” You break the law once, you face a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Break it three times, you face a Class 6 Felony. But what exactly entails “assault and battery,” and is emotional abuse domestic violence? Assault and Battery Watch enough ...
Wives become ex-wives. Convicts become ex-convicts. Serve your time and you’re an ex-convict. But felons? A felon is a felon for life. So, when your ex-wife starts dating a felon, are you cool with that? What can you do? How can you protect your kids? Two Different Issues You learn your ex-wife is dating a felon. Is this felon around ...