When you are faced with divorce, an attorney who has regularly advised and represented clients in matters of child custody, property division and alimony can help you to achieve a cost-effective and timely resolution. To learn more about our legal services, contact our firm to schedule a consultation and case evaluation.
Information About the Divorce Process in Virginia
A little knowledge goes a long way, in the case of family disputes. If spouses are considering a divorce, the spouse who seeks education and early legal advice is likely to be in a better position than the spouse who ignores the problem and waits to find a lawyer until the last possible moment.
With the goal of offering educational information about divorce and family law, the Nova Family Law Group offers some general information about the divorce process here and on our FAQ page.
Nova Family Law Group is the family law division of the local Fairfax law firm Hale Carlson Baumgartner, PLC. Our family law attorneys focus on representing clients involved in all types of family law matters ranging from complex or high-conflict divorces to mediated and uncontested divorces and family law matters.
For answers to questions about your specific circumstances, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule a complimentary — and confidential — 30-minute consultation.
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Divorce Resource Links
Medline Plus: Divorce
National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health information on overcoming the stresses and conflicts of divorce.
Divorce Law: An Overview
An overview of divorce law from Cornell University Law School's Legal Information Institute.
IRS: Publication 504 - Divorced or Separated Individuals
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) help for separated or divorced tax filers who have questions about preparing their returns.
IRS: Topic 452 - Alimony Paid
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) document detailing tax treatment of alimony payments.
Facts for Consumers: Credit and Divorce
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) site on how divorce affects credit accounts.
Divorce Overview - The Basics
Contemplating divorce is difficult. Whether or not you are sure you want to end your marriage, it helps to learn the basics of divorce law. Should you conclude that divorce is necessary, it is important to seek the assistance of an experienced family law attorney at Hale Carlson Baumgartner, PLC in Fairfax, Virginia.
Grounds for Divorce
A divorce is a judicial decree by which a valid marriage is dissolved. From a legal standpoint, the divorce process will divide the couple’s assets and debts; determine the future care and custody of their children; and give each person the legal right to marry someone else.
Every state has some form of "no-fault divorce," but the laws vary a great deal from state to state. Generally, a divorce will be granted if one spouse states that the marriage has irretrievably broken down or the couple has irreconcilable differences. (Other residency and filing requirements must also be met.) This is different from the past, when only "fault divorces" were available. In a fault divorce, one spouse must allege a martial wrong like adultery or abuse in order to receive a divorce.
In some states, both fault and no-fault divorces are available. An experienced family law attorney can help you determine whether and how to pursue divorce.
Resolving Issues During Divorce
Before a divorce may be granted, five basic issues typically must be resolved. They are:
- Alimony/spousal support
- Property and debt division
- Child custody
- Visitation/parenting time
- Child support
If the spouses can reach agreement on these issues, then the divorce is uncontested. If, however, the spouses cannot agree, the divorce is contested. The spouses may go to trial to resolve the issues. This usually means that a family court judge will make the final decisions. Alternatives to going to court include mediation, arbitration and collaborative divorce. Some courts may even order the spouses to attempt to resolve their differences through alternative dispute resolution:
- Mediation. Mediation is an alternative to litigation that can be less expensive and less stressful for divorcing couples and their children. In the mediation process, the couple works with a trained mediator to reach agreement on contested issues.
- Arbitration. Arbitration is more like court than mediation, but it can still be quicker and less expensive. Instead of using a judge to decide the outcome, the parties agree to use an arbitrator. Each spouse will have a separate attorney who will represent each spouse’s interests.
- Collaborative Divorce. Collaborative law is a relatively new divorce process that requires an up-front commitment to resolving disputes by negotiation, compromise and agreement. If either side decides to go to court, both attorneys are disqualified from representing their clients in the courtroom. The spouses find new attorneys and go to court.
Alimony, Spousal Support and Maintenance
Alimony (also called spousal support or maintenance) is financial support that one spouse pays to another. The alimony can come in a lump sum, over a limited period of time or indefinitely. Because the laws vary from state to state, it is best to consult an attorney with questions about alimony. Factors that the court may consider in determining alimony include the length of the marriage and the ability of each spouse to earn a living.
Division of Property in Non-Community Property States
Courts in states that use the non-community property system typically make an equitable division of property between the divorcing spouses. Equitable means fair, rather than necessarily equal. The court makes the decision based on the circumstances of the divorce, the non-financial contributions to the marriage of each spouse and missed academic or career opportunities.
Conclusion
Making the decision to end a marriage is difficult. Even so, it is in your best interest to approach the divorce process from a rational, businesslike perspective. Working with an experienced family law attorney from Hale Carlson Baumgartner, PLC in Fairfax, Virginia, will help you get through the process and begin your new life.
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