Planning Your Exit: How to Stay Safe When Leaving an Abusive Relationship By: Michael Gemstone, Esq. This is a guest post by one of our firm’s attorneys, and is also available on LinkedIn as a stand-alone article. Domestic violence isn’t always visible. It often manifests itself well before there are any physical indications abuse is …
Domestic violence doesn’t always look like a black eye or broken bone. Sometimes it sounds like constant criticism, feels like intense fear when your phone buzzes, or looks like a statement from a bank account you’re not allowed to touch. It can hide in everyday interactions, silent, controlling, and often invisible to others. When abuse …
When parents separate or divorce, one of the most stressful concerns is who will have custody – or conservatorship – of the children. For immigrant parents in Texas – whether lawful permanent residents, visa holders, or undocumented – the added question of whether citizenship or immigration status will affect parental rights is an even greater …
The holidays are usually painted as a season of joy – family gathered around the table, kids’ laughter, all the well-loved traditions that make the time together meaningful. But if you’re struggling in your marriage, especially if you’ve already decided to move forward with a divorce, the holidays can have a flip side. Timing? That …
The last few months of the year often stir up some serious emotional reflection if you’ve been considering a divorce. The holidays, the close of another year, should you, or shouldn’t you? And if you do, should you file before the end of the year, or does it really matter? Filing for divorce during the …
For individuals who are looking to secure their family’s future, few legal tools are as powerful and adaptable as a trust. For many families, a trust isn’t just a legal document – it’s a customized plan that helps them avoid the probate process, shield assets, and ensure loved ones are provided for in exactly the …
When you’re going through a legal crisis, whether it’s a divorce, custody battle, or estate dispute, it’s easy to get caught up in the legal technicalities. You diligently file the paperwork, meet with your attorney, attend the hearings, and show up for the court dates. But what’s often overlooked during all this is YOU – …
Divorce is never just a legal event. The end of a marriage is nothing short of an emotional ordeal that can reshape every aspect of your life, from where you live to your very sense of self. While the courts focus on dividing assets and determining custody, you are trying to make sense of the …
For most couples, the decision to separate is just the first step of many difficult choices. And the most immediate of these is deciding who moves out. But in today’s economic landscape, with rising household costs and families already stretched thin, one spouse moving out immediately isn’t always possible. In Virginia, this raises a unique …
As the end of the year looms and holidays approach, many people find themselves taking stock of their lives – and relationships. Feelings of disconnect and disappointment that once felt manageable may now feel intolerable in the face of all the forced holiday cheer and long-held expectations. And for couples already experiencing tension, this time …
Back-to-school season brings the familiar flurry of school supplies, early wake-up times, and new routines. But for newly separated parents, it can also create lots of conflict and stress. The new school year will require a coordination of schedules, transportation, supplies, and communication, all during a difficult shifting family dynamic. With the right structure in …
It’s one of the most frustrating situations divorced or separated parents face – when the other parent hasn’t paid their child support obligation. If you are the parent covering the bulk of the expenses for your child, it can feel unfair to continue allowing the other parent visitation when they haven’t fulfilled their financial responsibilities. …
Divorce doesn’t just end a marriage. It affects every corner of the family. And for teenagers, this family shift can be especially difficult. Unlike younger children, teens are old enough to understand what’s going on. But they often lack the tools to process it effectively. High-conflict divorces and drawn-out custody disputes can make teens feel …
Celebrating Grandparents’ Day: The Pillars of Family Support Each year, National Grandparents’ Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day, this year falling on September 7. And this is the perfect time to explore the roles of grandparents in family law cases. For many families, grandparents aren’t just extended family members; they’ve been …
Divorce often triggers a cascade of financial concerns, and one of the biggest is what happens to the marital home. In many Virginia divorces, not only is the house the most valuable asset owned by the couple, but it is also the most significant liability. Determining who pays the mortgage during a divorce isn’t just …
When people think about divorce, the first cost that often comes to mind is their attorney’s hourly rate. But what many don’t realize (until they’re in the thick of it) is that their attorney’s legal fees are only one part of the costs involved. Divorce impacts nearly every aspect of your financial life, and …
House Bills 3401 and 931 framed one of this year’s most spirited family law debates at the Capitol, with Texas lawmakers sparring over two very different visions of marriage and divorce. HB 3401 would end the state’s half-century-old no-fault divorce rule. HB 931 would add a second, stricter form of marriage that couples could choose …
Back-to-school season is often a time of fresh starts for both kids and parents. But for separated or divorced co-parents, it can also be a time of tension and anxiety. From who pays for school clothes and supplies to who drops off on the first day of school, each logistical or financial detail has the …