Most families are very busy during the summer months. While the children aren’t in school, they may participate in summer camps and enjoy family vacations. If you’re facing the first summer as a co-parent, there are a few things that you should think about.  One of the most important steps for you to take is to review your parenting plan to determine what restrictions and notification requirements are present for summer vacations. These may include limits on where you can take your children or how far in advance you have to let your co-parent know about your plans.  Remain as flexibl ..read more

It’s often hard for couples to communicate, both during a divorce and after it takes place. The end of the relationship is just too emotionally charged, and their conversations often evolve into arguments or disagreements. But a divorce will go more smoothly when two people can communicate. Plus, when those people are co-parents who are sharing custody of their children, some level of communication is simply going to be necessary, even long after the divorce has concluded. One thing that can help is to consider the correct communication method. How urgent is it? There certainly are urgent situ ..read more

Sharing custody after a divorce or separation can be a challenging undertaking. Some people find it very difficult to co-parent without conflict. Others simply struggle to adjust to the limits on their time with their children. Parents who keep the focus on their children may have an easier time adjusting to shared custody arrangements after a Virginia divorce. Although conflict tends to diminish over time as everyone acclimates to the new arrangements, sometimes new issues arise that affect co-parenting relationships. One parent may desire to move with the children. New romantic relationships ..read more

Divorce and separation are emotionally charged events, and child custody is often the most contentious issue in a couple’s decision to split. In the state’s courts, the well-being of the child is paramount when determining custody and parenting time arrangements. Suppose you’ve been wondering if the history of who has been the primary caregiver in your family could play a role in these decisions, if you and your spouse ultimately must call upon a judge to resolve your differences. The answer is yes, but it’s a nuanced consideration within a broader framework. The best interests of the child St ..read more

When it comes to child custody decisions, the child’s best interests take center stage. A child’s age is among the factors considered when determining what’s best for them. As such, your child’s age will play a significant role in the court’s decision if you need to litigate your custody arrangements. The reasonable preferences of the child can also influence custody cases. However, the court must determine if the child is capable of making such decisions before considering their wishes. Why age matters in custody proceedings A child’s age may affect custody decisions in various ways. Infants ..read more

The idea of discussing the end of a marriage when you are planning a wedding can sound absurd. However, the importance of this conversation cannot be overlooked. Many marriages do not last. A prenuptial agreement can help you define the terms of a divorce and separate marital property from personal property should things fail to work. Without one in place, the court would have a difficult time separating personal property from marital property. But when exactly should you sign a prenup? Here are two circumstances that may make a prenup essential before tying the knot: 1. When you are coming in ..read more

There are a lot of changes that come with divorce. Even if you wanted to divorce, you may still experience a range of emotions in the period immediately following the split. This might be especially prevalent during the first year. Taking the time to think about how you want your new life to go might be beneficial during the year of firsts. These firsts are all the special days you must deal with as a single person. Holidays, for example, might be much different.  Find your support system One of the most difficult challenges you must adjust to is not having another adult at home to talk a ..read more

Divorcing couples in Virginia often have a lot of questions about the future. They know they have to share their resources and debts, and they may be uncertain about what that process may involve. Virginia, like most other states, has an equitable distribution statute. If spouses go to court to divide their property, a judge looks over an inventory of marital debts and assets and learns about the couple’s circumstances. The judge then decides how to divide those resources and obligations in a fair or equitable manner.  Almost all property and income acquired during the marriage is subject ..read more

In the midst of a heartbreaking divorce, the last thing you want is another battleground. However, for many couples (especially those without children), their beloved pets become unexpected sources of conflict. These furry, feathered or scaled family members hold immense emotional weight, and their fate can feel like the ultimate tug-of-war. Before the court gets involved and claws (metaphorical or otherwise) come out, learn what you can do about your pets when getting a divorce. Can you get a pet custody order? Unfortunately, no. As in most states, Virginia considers pets as personal property ..read more

Infidelity in a marriage is certainly one of the main things that leads to divorce, but this generally refers to extramarital affairs. It’s important to note that this is not the only way that it can take place. In some cases, couples will break up because of financial infidelity. This can take many forms, but it is generally when couples begin lying to each other about money. Maybe one person starts taking on debt without telling their spouse. Maybe they’re dishonest about how much money they earn. Perhaps they’ve been spending in a way that their spouse isn’t aware of, such as taking money o ..read more