Family Law Archives | The Firm for Men

How Divorce Affects Your Credit Score: What Virginia Men Should Know

Divorce does not appear on your credit report—but the financial consequences surrounding separation often do. Joint accounts, marital debt, missed payments, and even financial abuse can quietly destroy a once-strong credit score. For Virginia men navigating divorce, understanding how and why credit damage happens is essential to protecting long-term financial stability. Jump to a Section Understanding Credit Scores and FICO ...

By Jason E Swango|December 29th, 2025|

Reentering the Dating World as a Divorced Father in Virginia

After a long and exhausting Virginia separation or divorce, many men naturally feel ready to reenter the dating world. Wanting companionship is healthy and normal — but in Virginia, dating before your divorce is finalized can lead to real legal consequences, including accusations of adultery, challenges to custody, and complications in spousal support or property division. Even after divorce, dating ...

By Jason E Swango|December 22nd, 2025|

Is Shared or Joint Custody Better in Virginia?

When parents divorce or separate in Virginia, few questions are more important—or more emotionally charged—than child custody. Fathers often hear the terms joint custody and shared custody used interchangeably, but under Virginia law, they mean very different things. Understanding those differences is essential if you want to protect your parental rights, preserve meaningful time with your children, and avoid costly ...

By Jason E Swango|December 18th, 2025|

How Long Does a Divorce Take in Virginia?

One of the first questions Virginia men ask when facing separation or divorce is simple but important: how long is this going to take? Virginia divorce law follows strict timelines that depend on separation requirements, whether children are involved, and whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. Understanding these rules can help you plan financially, emotionally, and legally. Jump to ...

By Jason E Swango|December 17th, 2025|

How Divorce Impacts Tax Filing: Tips for Virginia Men

The only two certainties in life are death and taxes — and divorce makes both feel a little too real. Taxation in America dates back to Abraham Lincoln’s Revenue Act of 1862, and since then, Virginians have been navigating ever-changing IRS rules. When you're going through a separation or divorce, tax season becomes even more confusing. Your filing status, deductions, ...

By Jason E Swango|December 15th, 2025|

Who is Responsible for the Mortgage during a Separation?

Most Virginia men entering a separation or divorce expect emotional strain, custody disputes, and difficult conversations. But many are blindsided by something far more mundane — the mortgage. The marital home is usually a couple’s most valuable asset and biggest debt, and what happens to that mortgage during separation can shape your financial future for years. Responsible mortgage separation means ...

By Jason E Swango|December 10th, 2025|

Financial Abuse in Marriage (and Divorce)

Financial abuse is one of the most overlooked forms of domestic violence — especially among men. Many husbands do not realize they are being victimized until their finances, autonomy, and confidence have been stripped away piece by piece. In Virginia divorces, economic abuse shows up frequently, often intertwined with emotional manipulation and coercive control. Understanding how financial abuse works is ...

By Jason E Swango|December 8th, 2025|

Common Parenting Time Schedules in Virginia Shared Custody

Shared custody in Virginia can be one of the most rewarding — and most challenging — parts of co-parenting after separation or divorce. Whether you are just beginning to navigate custody or revisiting your parenting arrangement, the schedule you choose will influence your child’s stability, emotional well-being, and relationship with both parents. Virginia courts encourage meaningful involvement from both parents, ...

By Jason E Swango|December 2nd, 2025|

How Does Cohabitation Affect Spousal Support in Virginia?

After the long road to separation and divorce, many Virginia men assume that a final decree means a clean break. But for those still paying spousal support, freedom can feel incomplete — especially when an ex-spouse begins living with a new partner. That’s when a critical legal question arises: How does cohabitation impact spousal support in Virginia? The answer can ...

By Jason E Swango|December 1st, 2025|

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