Child custody disputes can be some of the most emotional and complicated parts of divorce or separation. When parents cannot agree on where their children should live or how parenting time should be shared, the court must determine what arrangement serves the best interests of the child. One concern parents often have is whether the judge might speak directly with ...
When parents divorce or separate in Virginia, one of the most important issues they must resolve is how parenting time will be shared. Custody agreements and parenting plans often include special provisions designed to maximize a child’s time with each parent. One of the most common provisions is called the right of first refusal. While the name may sound technical, ...
Kids repeat everything. Everything. You mutter something sharp about your ex on Tuesday, and by Thursday your child is quoting it to a teacher, a counselor, or — worst of all — someone connected to your case, like a guardian ad litem. In Virginia family court, what feels like “just venting” can quickly become a child custody issue. Virginia judges ...
In the late 18th century, Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon famously criticized the New World — including Virginia — as a land of weak and inferior life. Thomas Jefferson responded forcefully in Notes on the State of Virginia, cataloging example after example of strength, adaptability, and resilience. That historical debate turns out to be surprisingly relevant today, because Virginia courts ...
18.2-49.1 does not equal 30.9. Mathematically, it does. Legally, in Virginia family law, it absolutely does not. Virginia Code § 18.2-49.1 is your primary statutory weapon when your ex-spouse decides that a judge’s custody or visitation order is optional. It isn’t. And the General Assembly made sure of that. When a court grants you visitation with your children, that right ...
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 ...
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, ...
Comedian Mitch Hedberg once joked that alcoholism is a disease — but it’s the only disease you get yelled at for having. His wit underscores a deeper truth: Americans are conflicted about alcohol abuse disorder (AUD). So, what can a Virginia man do when he realizes his wife is secretly an alcoholic? This article explores how to recognize the problem, ...
For military service members in Virginia, child support calculations can feel confusing — especially when your pay comes from multiple sources. Between basic pay, allowances, incentive bonuses, and veterans’ benefits, you may wonder what counts as income for support purposes. The answer? Almost everything. Virginia law casts a wide net when defining income for child support. Whether your compensation is ...