An engagement ring is a beautiful symbol, usually carrying deep emotional weight and considerable financial value. However, when spouses end their marriage, disagreements can arise over the question of who keeps the ring. Is it marital property subject to division, or...
The thought of divorce raises many questions, including which spouse is typically more inclined to end the marriage. Does the public's idea of who files for divorce align with reality? When we look at the data, the answer is clear: women are significantly more likely...
Divorce is a challenging process, in part, because people must navigate both emotional and practical issues simultaneously. Even the most rational person typically has strong emotional responses to the discussions that occur during divorce. Emotions can lead to...
Prenuptial agreements are contracts that engaged couples sign before getting married. Postnuptial agreements are essentially contracts that married couples negotiate with one another. Prenuptial agreements help people start marital relationships off confidently....
If you are in the middle of a divorce or adjusting to a new custody arrangement, you might already feel stretched. You want to protect your time with your child, but sometimes you cannot be there overnight. When that happens, you may wonder who gets to decide where...
Most divorces follow one of two paths. Sometimes, spouses agree about key matters. They may have signed a prenuptial agreement years ago or may have reached an agreement after they decided to file. Those couples can pursue uncontested divorces. They present the courts...
Premarital agreements, often called “pre-nups,” are among the most complicated and misunderstood topics in Virginia family law. The misunderstanding often begins before such an agreement is executed. The purpose of a prenuptial agreement A prenuptial agreement can be...
In Virginia, while traditional custodial plans remain the norm, courts permit parents to pursue creative alternatives when both parties agree, and the arrangement meets the child’s emotional, physical and developmental needs. One such approach is “nesting,” which is...
Like many states, Virginia has what people commonly refer to as “no-fault divorce laws.” Among other things, this means, if a Virginia couple lives apart for 1 year, either party may ask for and obtain a divorce. In such a case, the grounds for the divorce are simply...
One of the more challenging scenarios that come up in Virginia child custody cases is when a custodial parent wants to relocate with the child. The relocation could be to a different area of Virginia or to an entirely different state. The other parent may resist,...
