A child custody and visitation plan generally specifies how much time each parent will spend with the child during the year and what decisions each parent is allowed to make on behalf of the child. If the child’s parents can come to an agreement through mediation,...
Fairfax Family Law Blog
Child custody: Working with your ex
Some people who go through a divorce can look forward to never having to talk to their ex again. Divorcing parents don't have that luxury, particularly if their children are still young. Typically, these parents must continue to work with each other to coordinate...
Is child support different in D.C. than Virginia?
Child support is the financial obligation that parents have to provide for their children after a divorce or separation. Child support laws vary by state, and there are some significant differences between Virginia and Washington, D.C. Here are some of the main...
Divorce and the family business
When a married couple divorces in Virginia, they must divide their marital property in a way that meets standards of fairness under state law. Generally, marital property includes every asset the couple acquired during the marriage. Assets either spouse acquired...
Bad behavior might cost you in property division
The circumstances leading up to divorce can sometimes bring out the worst in a person. For example, committing adultery can cost you the trust of your spouse and can easily end a marriage. Or a spouse might be tempted to spend all the marital funds on lavish purchases...
The basic rules of spousal support in a Virginia divorce
When a Virginia couple decides to end their marriage, one of the first questions each spouse asks is, “Can the court order alimony?” The answer to this question can be frustrating, but the correct answer is, “It depends.” The answer depends upon many factors which...
How long does spousal support last?
If a spouse is a stay-at-home parent during the marriage or does not earn as much as their spouse, they may be entitled to spousal support from their spouse if they get divorced. Courts may award spousal support to people who may need financial support during and/or...
How is property divided in a divorce?
Many married couples in the Washington, D.C., area work as a team to build their wealth and acquire property. However, the more property you have accumulated as a couple, the more difficult it is to divide up the property between you if you get divorced. Divorcing...
What are some common joint custody arrangements?
Divorced couples often have a difficult time sharing physical custody of their kids. Even if the court awards you and your ex joint custody, it can be difficult to make sure a child spends exactly half of the year with one parent and half of the year with the other...
How do I work out child custody, visitation and support in Virginia?
Custody, visitation and support is about the time schedule that divorced parents work out and the way that their legal rights and responsibilities are divided between them. In Virginia, the court that handles the matters associated with custody, visitation and support...