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 ...
Divorce is stressful enough when both spouses have attorneys. But what happens if your wife hires a family lawyer and you decide to represent yourself? Many Virginia men wonder whether they are required to communicate with their spouse’s attorney or whether they can simply refuse to deal with that lawyer. The reality is that if you represent yourself in a ...
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 ...
If you’re separated in Virginia and trying to move toward divorce, you’ve probably heard a rumor that sounds half-legal and half-myth: “If you sleep together, the separation clock resets.” It sounds dramatic. It sounds unfair. And it sounds exactly like something that could derail months of careful planning. So what’s the truth? In Virginia, separation is not just about sleeping ...
Young giraffes do not fit in car seats. Relocating giraffes is complicated business. But despite what you might think, giraffes are rarely the ones charged with contempt of court. Recently, however, a Virginia case involving the seizure and transport of giraffes — yes, actual giraffes — resulted in contempt charges against two zoo owners. The giraffes were innocent bystanders. The ...
Divorce is rarely pleasant, but it becomes especially exhausting when one spouse refuses to move forward. Many Virginia men come into our office frustrated and drained, asking the same question: “Can she really keep this going forever?” The answer is no. Your spouse may slow the process, create inconvenience, and increase costs, but she cannot legally prevent a divorce from ...
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 ...
What happens when one spouse doesn't want a divorce? It’s a question many Virginia men ask when a marriage breaks down but their spouse refuses to accept that the relationship is over. Divorce is rarely a mutual decision. In many cases, one spouse is ready to move forward while the other insists on staying married. This situation can leave you ...