Shared custody arrangements bring about various responsibilities and questions. One particular issue that often arises is determining which parent is entitled to claim the child for tax benefits. This question, while seemingly simple, is surrounded by legal stipulations that can have significant implications. That is to say, making an incorrect decision can lead to financial repercussions and may also complicate co-parenting arrangements. Such complications can inadvertently impact the stability and structure essential to the child’s development. Determining ahead of time who claims a child on ..read more

If you have a child out of wedlock, your custody rights might depend on which parent you are. You need parental rights to build a relationship with your child. Fighting for custody in a divorce is difficult enough, but custody disputes can also occur among unmarried parents. You may be able to work out a custody arrangement with the other parent. If not, you must get a court order establishing custody of the child. The process can be even more complicated if you are not on the child’s birth certificate. You might need to establish proof of paternity through a DNA test before you can seek child ..read more

ShounBach has been recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers®, regionally in 2 practice areas. Firms included in the 2024 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be considered for this milestone achievement, at least one lawyer in the law firm must be recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Achieving a tiered ranking in Best Law Firms® on a national and/or metropolitan scale signals a unique credibility within the industry. The transparent, collaborati ..read more

ShounBach is pleased to announce that 6 lawyers have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. “For more than 40 years, the rigorous methodology of Best Lawyers has ensured the integrity and esteem of our legal recognitions,” said Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer. “It is with great pleasure that we continue to provide potential clients with the pinnacle measurement of credibility through our Best Lawyers awards as they search for counsel.” Best ..read more

If you are considering divorce, the idea of being a single mother can be terrifying, especially if you are a stay-at-home mom (SAHM). Your first thought might be to wonder how you will be able to provide for your children. If you are economically reliant on your partner, the thought of starting over with your children can leave you reeling. What will your financial situation look like? Will you be able to go back to work, and if so, how will you handle child care? Divorce can be both a burden and a relief for many families. As a stay-at-home parent seeking a divorce, you might feel trapped and ..read more

Whether you are relieved or upset by the decision to file for a divorce, it is essential to understand that your divorce might take longer than expected. The legal process for marriage dissolution can be lengthy and challenging for you to handle while going through emotional turmoil. If you need help with a contested or uncontested divorce in Northern Virginia, contact the experienced divorce attorneys at the ShounBach law office today. What is the Residency Requirement in Virginia for Getting a Divorce? Before you can file for a divorce in Virginia, you must meet the residency requirement. F ..read more

ShounBach has been ranked in the 2021 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list regionally in 2 practice areas. Firms included in the 2021 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. The 2021 Edition of “Best Law Firms” includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan – based practice areas. Ranked firms, presented in tiers, are listed on a national and/ or metropolitan scale ..read more

Susan Butler has recently earned the designation “Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.” The role of the CDFA® is to help the client understand how the financial decisions made today will impact the client’s financial future. A CDFA® is someone who comes from a financial planning, accounting or legal background and goes through an intensive training program and written exam to become skilled in analyzing and providing expertise related to the financial issues of divorce ..read more

With July 1 each year, comes a host of new Virginia laws. The vast majority of the new laws go into effect on July 1, although a few have delayed effective dates. The subject of the new laws runs the gamut from minimum wage, marijuana decriminalization (for simple possession), driver cards for immigrants, guns, casinos/sports betting and more. The following laws impact the domestic relation / family law arena: HB 623. Gender-neutral terms; prohibitions on same-sex marriage and civil unions removed from Code; certain gender-specific crimes; penalty. Replaces the terms “husband” and “wife,” as ..read more

Divorce can be emotionally draining, distracting, and devastating to your life. It makes it harder to focus on basic tasks or think clearly, especially regarding important things like work and even issues of estate planning. Many people do not consider how divorce affects a will, for example. Understanding the divorce process and implementing the essential changes you must make before your divorce is finalized can save you all manner of headaches and ensure that your assets are distributed exactly as you wish. The knowledgeable Virginia family law and divorce lawyers at ShounBach are here to h ..read more