You may worry about your child’s financial security when you and the other parent never married. Virginia law requires both parents to support their child. However, before you receive a support order, you must establish legal parentage. A court or state agency may...
When you have stayed home to raise children while your spouse earned most or all of the household income, divorce can feel financially uncertain. Still, a higher-earning spouse does not automatically control the outcome or leave you without support. Your rights may...
Legal custody rights, which can be divided between parents during a divorce, address how those parents should make future decisions for their child. While they are married, parents have the authority to jointly make decisions on the child's behalf. After a divorce,...
People subject to child support orders often feel stressed about their financial obligations. Fulfilling the order may leave them with very little disposable income to spend on personal needs each month. They may resent their obligations and even question whether the...
Divorcing couples sometimes end up battling over things they didn’t realize they even cared about until it came time to decide who got to keep them. Among these are gifts they acquired throughout the marriage. When deciding who keeps an item that was a gift, the first...
Parents of teens know they have opinions on just about everything, and they may not be shy about sharing their thoughts. During a divorce, those opinions often extend to where they want to live. Whether that wish is to stay with you or the other parent, it's crucial...
Going through a separation can feel emotional and confusing, especially when children are involved. You may want to protect your child’s routine while also adjusting to major life changes. One option some families consider is birdnesting. Birdnesting is a parenting...
Custody orders are not fixed indefinitely and can be modified to reflect the current reality. What worked at the time of your divorce may no longer be effective or practical, especially as children grow or as one parent’s circumstances change significantly. If you’re...
Divorce often brings financial changes that require careful planning and adjustment. One important aspect many people face is spousal support, which can affect both parties after the marriage ends. Understanding how spousal support works can help reduce uncertainty by...
Divorce often brings stress, urgency and hard choices. Under that pressure, decisions made too quickly can affect finances, parenting arrangements and long-term stability. If you are going through a divorce, the process can involve serious financial and legal...
