Every divorce is different, and some are far more difficult than others, but it is rare that one goes 100% smoothly and without pain. Even if your divorce does not involve several assets or child custody issues, you can still experience angry disagreements about the division of property. If the division of assets is the …
Deciding it’s time to end your marriage is difficult and stressful. Because obtaining a divorce is a legal process, you need to understand your rights and how the process works. This brief guide will walk you through the basic legal steps and give you an overview of the divorce process. However, it’s critical that you …
Equitable distribution is a legal claim for property division where a spouse can ask the court to divide assets and debts acquired during the marriage between both spouses. Equitable distribution can be fixed by court order or through a private agreement between the spouses, such as a separation agreement. Only marital and divisible property are …
So you’ve made the difficult decision – the relationship is not working, and you and your spouse need to part ways. What’s first – do you file for divorce? How do you get separated? For clients already facing a difficult time, figuring out the legal system and it’s requirements can be overwhelming. Starting a Separation …
Divorce Divorce is one of the most stressful and costly events one can go through. Not only are you fighting for custody and visitation of your children, but you are also fighting child support, spousal support, and division of marital assets, including division of retirement and pension accounts. You will also be forced to divide …
Child custody battles can be one of the most emotionally exhausting parts of your divorce. In most circumstances, both parents want what is in the best interests of the child, but you can disagree about what your child’s best interests are. If you are currently preparing for a custody battle in Reston or are in …
Divorce is never simple – emotionally, legally, or financially. At Melone Hatley, P.C., our Reston divorce attorneys provide compassionate, strategic representation to help protect your rights, secure your future, and move forward confidently into the future. We understand the unique challenges that come with divorce, especially when it involves shared parenting, significant marital assets, and …
As of July 1, 2021 it is legal for adults to possess up to 1 oz of marijuana in Virginia. Many are excited about this change in the law; however, it does come with a few caveats. As with most new laws there are a lot of questions about how this will impact our day …
What a family looks like has been rapidly changing over the past few decades—no longer do we have a common family and are more turning to modern family structures. Beginning in the 1960s and accelerating significantly since then, changes in marriage, divorce, legal separation, cohabitation, and nonmarital familial creation have transformed family life, and therefore …
In contentious custody and visitation matters, the court may order parties to use a third party messaging application or other software to track their correspondence. When evidence has shown high conflict and issues of communication between parents, it’s easier for the court to determine fault for problems when the evidence is clear. Introducing text messages, …
The topic of divorce is one that is tough for everyone. But when divorce directly conflicts with your faith, getting out of the bad situation can become overwhelming. When you got married, you likely never gave divorce a second thought; no one should go into marriage planning for divorce. But the harsh reality is that …
Virginia Divorce with Special Needs Children When a divorce involves a child with special needs, parents and attorneys should focus on clear resolutions of these critical issues: Visitation/Access agreements Transition between homes Healthcare and medical needs, including therapy, equipment, and non-prescription treatments and nutritional needs Respite care for the custodial parent Educational decision-making and involvement …
In any family law case, you have the right to certain information from the other party. Whether it’s a divorce, custody, or child support case, your attorney may talk to you about doing “discovery.” Types of Discovery The most common forms of discovery are interrogatories and requests for production of documents. Interrogatories are written questions …
In any family law situation, whether it’s a divorce, child custody, or support case, emotions can run high and can even turn violent. Family violence has a broad definition and can include physical violence, emotional abuse, threats, threatening behavior, or harassment. If you find yourself on the receiving end of these acts; there are several …
Anyone that has gone through a custody or visitation battle in court, or is about to, may have heard the term “status quo.” Status quo, in terms of custody and visitation, means the schedule the parties have been following prior to court. The court will consider what’s normal for the children and parents in setting …
Negotiate a fair and equitable arrangement with the help of our compassionate Virginia divorce lawyers. We will guide you every step of the way. What is Spousal Support? In Virginia, payments made to a former spouse for their financial support and maintenance is called “spousal support.” The amount and duration of support varies widely from …
Divorce Attorneys in Virginia Finding yourself in the midst of a divorce often comes with angst and despair. For most people, it is a difficult time. Even if you feel a sense of relief about the divorce, it does not mean it is any less stressful or time-consuming. A divorce case can last several months …
The simple answer is yes, but in very limited situations. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, marriage is considered a contract between two people, and with it come obligations and certain legal rights. What is an Annulment? Unlike a divorce, which is the dissolution of a valid marriage, an annulment is the end of an invalid …
