What is Annulment?

Divorce and Separation, Family Law

What is Annulment? As Valentine’s Day approaches, let’s indulge our morbid curiosity by exploring a little-used avenue out of marriage: the annulment.  Most of us have a general understanding of its purpose, but why choose annulment over divorce?  This article will...

Enforcing Child Support When the Other Parent Leaves the State

Family Law

Enforcing Child Support When the Other Parent Leaves the State This month is our first reader request!  An April article on child support recently appeared on the New River Valley Macaroni Kid Facebook page.  Readers had questions:  When a Virginian court decides that...

Divorce Grounds in Virginia

Family Law

Divorce Grounds in Virginia In Virginia, a suit for divorce starts with a complaint.  This is a legal form that explains what you are asking for and why.  A complaint for divorce seeks divorce from the bonds of marriage (you may see this phrase in Latin: a vinculo...

Important Legal Changes for 2019

Criminal Law, Family Law

Important Legal Changes for 2019 In January, the Virginia General Assembly met for its 2019 session.  Many of the laws that passed will take effect starting this month.  This article covers a few of the laws most likely to have an impact on the health and safety of...

Separate, Marital, Hybrid: Defining and Dividing Property After Divorce

Family Law

Separate, Marital, Hybrid: Defining and Dividing Property After Divorce When a marriage ends, who decides which spouse gets what property?  If a former couple cannot reach an agreement, either party can ask a circuit court judge to make the decision for them.  After...

Winning Child Support in Virginia

Family Law

Winning Child Support in Virginia Ending a relationship can be painful.  Ending a relationship with the other parent of your children can be painful and complicated.  Ideally, both parties can still work together to help the children adapt as smoothly as possible. ...