Sometimes determining child custody can be relatively straightforward with both parties willing to make compromises to find a swift resolution. Other times it can be much more difficult because one or both parties take polarized standpoints that result in a lot of conflict. If your co-parent is being unreasonable and making things difficult, it’s important you find ways to take care of yourself. Otherwise, the stress the high-conflict custody battle could cause could leave you burned out and unable to make the considered decisions you need. Here are some tips to cope: Stay focused on your goal ..read more

Entering into marriage for the second time is an experience that benefits from wisdom gained from past experiences. One of the lessons often learned is the value of clear communication and understanding around financial matters, which can be a significant source of stress in any marriage.  A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, can play a pivotal role in making marriage less stressful the second time around by providing clarity, protection and greater peace of mind to both parties. The Advantages Drafting a prenup encourages couples to have open and honest discussions about their finances, in ..read more

If you are planning to file for divorce in Virginia, you may wonder whether or not you should cite fault against your spouse. Below are some things to consider. What are the grounds for a Virginia fault divorce? If you are able to prove that your spouse committed buggery or sodomy outside the marriage, or they committed adultery, you may file a fault-based divorce. Other fault grounds include spousal felony convictions where they serve longer than a year and do not cohabit after the jail term; willful desertion for a year or more; cruelty or causing fear of bodily harm. But there are exception ..read more

If you are heading into divorce proceedings, then it’s important to be as prepared as possible. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to obtain agreeable settlements.  Something that you will need to have is all of the relevant paperwork gathered. There are certain documents that the family court will need to see before they can come to rulings or sign off on negotiated settlements.  Here are some of the key documents that you will need to look out.  Documents related to your property  Property division is a key part of divorce proceedings. Ideally, you and you ..read more

Both financial matters and custody issues can cause conflict during a divorce. In some families, it becomes impossible for the spouses to work together. They litigate disagreements in family court. A judge interprets state law after learning about the family’s circumstances to reach the most appropriate rulings on matters related to the children in the family and property division matters. Many couples prefer to avoid litigation if at all possible. Mediation can be a way to resolve practical disagreements about divorce terms. Parents can potentially address both custody issues and financial ma ..read more

Divorcing will require splitting the assets you own together. If you own your own home, it may well be the most valuable of all your assets to consider. Hence, many people get fixated on keeping it. While a house may have sentimental and practical value, you mustn’t let these distract you from its financial value. Here are some choices you may have: You could sell it If you put the house up for sale, then it removes the emotional factors around it. Once the sale goes through and you pay the mortgage off, you’ll have a quantity of money that you can add to the total pot for splitting. You could ..read more

When getting divorced, co-parents often have a lot of questions. They want to make sure that this goes smoothly for their children. The following are three of the main questions that parents tend to ask. They can help you and your spouse get started if you’re considering a divorce and trying to plan ahead. 1. Is it wise to stay together for the kids? Staying together for the kids may be tempting because parents are often worried that a divorce will have a negative impact on them. But studies have found that children are very resilient, and can often adjust to divorce in time. Moreover, staying ..read more

Imagine a scenario where kids of divorce can stay in one familiar home instead of packing up and moving from residence to residence so frequently. If this sounds like a post-divorce dream situation, your family could be an ideal candidate for a nesting (or birdnesting) child custody plan. But what does nesting mean? Is it an option in Virginia? What are the risks and rewards? Here we’ll answer these and other questions about birdnesting. What does nesting entail? In custody arrangements based on birdnesting, the parents are the ones who move between home instead of the children. That means you ..read more

Parental alienation is a distressing phenomenon in family dynamics that can have profound effects on children. It occurs when one parent, whether consciously or unconsciously, influences their child to turn against the other to create emotional division and conflict.  Understanding the impact of this behavior is crucial because it can have lasting consequences on a child’s emotional well-being. Emotional and psychological effects on children Children who experience parental alienation often struggle with confusion, guilt and emotional distress. They may feel torn between their parents, le ..read more

Whether you are planning to take a few weeks to rest in the Hamptons or on the Amalfi coast, divorced parents often wonder if they can bring their children with them on vacation without the consent of the other parent. Many parents who share custody of their children with another parent assume they cannot leave the state or the country without the consent of the other parent. However, this is not necessarily the case, although each case is different, and you must ensure compliance with your custody agreement or court order. Before you buy those tickets or make plans, make sure you go through t ..read more