Co-parenting in Virginia typically requires patience as a family adjusts to their new arrangements. Adults also need to be willing to compromise, as they may sometimes need to rework the schedule or make choices about their children’s upbringing. The actions of one parent can have a direct negative impact on the relationship that the other has with the children. For example, one parent deciding to relocate could forever alter family dynamics. Whether someone intends to move to the other side of the state or to leave Virginia to live in Ohio after getting a job offer, that decision can have pro ..read more

Becoming a parent means assuming financial responsibility for one’s children. If a parent doesn’t live full-time with their children, then they may need to pay child support. The earlier in life someone breaks up with or divorces the other parent of their children, the more time someone may spend paying child support. In Virginia, child support is an option in many family law scenarios. When one parent earns far more than the other or has substantially less time with their shared children, that parent may have to provide financial support to the other parent to help them meet the needs of the ..read more

In Virginia, child support modifications can be helpful for families because of the changing nature of life circumstances. Child support isn’t permanent. And even before a child reaches the age of majority, it can be revisited and revised to suit a child’s and parents’ changing needs and abilities. Anyone who has a child support order should understand the circumstances in which modifications are deemed appropriate and the criteria used by Virginia courts to determine their suitability so that they can make informed decisions about their rights and options. Circumstances for child support modi ..read more

An uncontested divorce refers to a situation where both spouses agree to terminate the marriage and are in agreement regarding the terms of the divorce settlement. Both parties agree to get divorced and on major issues such as child custody, division of property, spousal support (if applicable) and any other relevant matters related to the dissolution of their marriage. Since both spouses are in agreement, there is no need for court intervention to settle disputes, although legal documentation is still required to formalize the agreement. This document is then submitted to the court. A judge r ..read more

Real estate holdings can easily become a focal point during divorces in Virginia. Many married couples buy homes together, and their primary residence could become a source of contention as they negotiate a property settlement agreement during their divorce. People often become emotional about the home where they lived together, which is understandable. Some couples own more than one property. Families may have a vacation home where they enjoyed time together in the summer. There are also many married couples who choose to invest in real property. Investments could include buying homes to rent ..read more

Many children attend public schools, and the address where they live typically determines which school within a school district they must attend. Some families decide that they would prefer to have their children attend charter schools. There are also many families that pay to enroll their children at private educational institutions, often because a particular institution has an association with the family’s religion. The school that children attend determines not just the caliber of education they receive but also the peer-based networking opportunities they have access to. Parents may have ..read more

Estate planning is a dynamic process that requires regular attention and timely updates to align with an individual’s life circumstances, financial situation and personal wishes. A well-crafted estate plan can provide peace of mind and security for loved ones, but it can become obsolete or ineffective if it isn’t periodically reviewed and updated. The timing of these updates is crucial for avoiding potential legal disputes, tax consequences and other complications. Timely updates also help to ensure that an estate plan reflects current intentions and wishes. An outdated estate plan might not c ..read more

Based on a report by the Department of Motor Vehicles, more than 319,000 speeding tickets were issued in Virginia in 2019 alone. While this is a decrease compared to previous years, the truth is, speeding contributed to approximately 24,000 car crashes that same year which means that excessive speed remains a serious public health and safety issue even if fewer motorists are being cited for this particular behavior. As a result of the fact that the state takes this reality seriously, if you’re driving in Virginia, paying a speeding ticket will result in immediate consequences, like points on y ..read more

A Virginia divorce will mean major changes to someone’s daily life and financial adjustments as well. Some couples already have written agreements that make it very clear how they will divide their property when they divorce. Others will need to negotiate a settlement with one another or prepare for litigation. When property division matters go to court, a judge will review an inventory of marital assets and then apply the Virginia equitable distribution law based on their understanding of a couple’s marital circumstances. Certain assets can be harder to divide appropriately than others, and r ..read more

When establishing a child support order, legal professionals in Virginia review numerous details about a family’s situation. The overall breakdown of parenting time, the unique needs of the children and also the income of both parents will influence support. In some cases, even one’s standard of living during the marital relationship or prior to the parental breakup can influence support expectations. There’s often a lot of tension between the parent paying support and the parent receiving support in Virginia. Specifically, those making child support payments often feel like too much of their ..read more