Get free answers to your Family Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am experiencing ongoing violations of a court order agreement by my child's father for the last three years. These violations are frequent and involve child custody and visitation issues. While I haven't attempted mediation, we do have upcoming court dates related to this matter. How... View More 
I am currently experiencing financial hardship, and my tax return was offset by the Office of the Attorney General for child support. I am disabled with very limited resources, and I have been unable to cope financially since losing my former fiancé to suicide, which I'm discussing in... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
I'm really sorry you’re going through so much. Losing your tax return to a child support offset while facing disability and financial hardship can feel overwhelming, especially with everything else on your plate.
If your tax return was intercepted for child support in Virginia, you... View More
I asked DCSE to close my current case, and they erased over $40,000 in arrears owed to me without my permission, court approval, or judgment. Initially, they erased the arrears in 2024, but after I confronted them, they changed the date to 2019. I did not receive any documentation or notice about... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
What happened to you is deeply frustrating and, on the surface, seems like a serious mishandling of your case. If DCSE erased over \$40,000 in arrears without your knowledge, permission, or a court order, that may be a violation of your rights as the person owed support. Child support arrears are... View More
My daughter graduated from college on May 8, 2025, and is living independently without support from her mother. I am currently under a court order to pay $169 monthly in child support, deducted from my SSD payments. I also owe some back pay and have been making payments for the past 3-4 years.... View More
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answered on May 12, 2025
In Virginia, your child support obligations typically end when your child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever happens later. Since your daughter has now graduated from college and is living independently, you would generally no longer be required to pay child support under Virginia... View More
I am a California resident looking to hire a Virginia resident lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement governed by California law. I seek advice on whether a non-local lawyer would be knowledgeable about California prenuptial agreements. Specifically, I need to include a spousal support/alimony... View More
answered on May 7, 2025
I think you are better off retaining California counsel who tells you they are familiar with or can become familiar with the federal pension issues. The Federal Government is in California and protecting pensions from it is part of a California lawyer's role when preparing a prenup. Further,... View More
In Virginia, I'm a 17-year-old who purchased a Motorola phone and a Surface Pro tablet for around $450 with my own earned money, under my name. My parent forcefully took these items away, stating they own everything I have and that I can't have another phone. Initially, my parent... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
In Virginia, as a 17-year-old, you do have the ability to make purchases under your name, but since you're still considered a minor, your parent may have more authority over items in your home. Legally, a parent has control over the property of their minor child, especially if the child is... View More
I'm in Virginia and have been trying to finalize the adoption of a child for the past 11 years. Our attorney mentioned that we need to serve papers to the birth mother, but we cannot locate her. We are facing an urgent deadline because the school is now demanding a birth certificate, which... View More
answered on May 5, 2025
It has been years, but I had a similar case of a British citizen and a French-Middle Eastern citizen seeking to adopt a Kurdish orphan where we could not prove the father was dead. The answer is much more expensive than you are expecting. We researched the various standards for adoption in England... View More
What is the immediate process for appointing a new guardian to a minor when the parents suddenly pass away, such as in a car accident? Specifically, what happens right after the accident in terms of legal or social services involvement?
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answered on May 15, 2025
When both parents pass away suddenly, such as in a car accident, the immediate steps to appoint a guardian for the minor typically begin with the involvement of social services. If no guardian has been legally designated in advance, Child Protective Services (CPS) or a similar agency will step in... View More
I have a pendente lite decree issued on October 12, 2022, which has no end date. The only amendment to it was included in the final divorce decree concerning visitation, but it did not cover all aspects of the pendente lite decree. Custody and visitation were bifurcated to the lower court, and... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
The pendente lite decree in Virginia remains valid until a final order or ruling is made in the case. Since the decree had no specified end date and some aspects of it were not addressed in the final divorce decree, the portions of the pendente lite decree that were not amended may still be... View More
In Virginia, as a 17-year-old, I purchased a Motorola phone and a Surface Pro tablet, totaling around $450, with my own earned money, under my name. My parent took these items away, stating that they own everything I have and that I'm not allowed to have another phone. Initially, my parent... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
In Virginia, at the age of 17, you are still considered a minor, which means that while you can enter into contracts and make purchases, your legal rights around property ownership may still be influenced by your parents’ authority. Since you’re living under your parent’s roof, they may have... View More
I work at a private animal shelter, and we are currently housing a dog that was brought to us by a police officer after the owner was arrested. We wish to file for legal ownership of the dog to facilitate adoption, as holding it long-term in the shelter isn't feasible. The dog was brought in... View More
answered on Apr 22, 2025
Perhaps there is some statute that helps, but I have never heard of one. A dog is property in most states, including the Commonwealth. An incarcerated individual doesn't lose their property without due process of law. The easiest answer is to ask her to sign over the dog as a gift, and, a... View More
I have joint legal custody of my 11-year-old son according to a custody agreement established in Virginia, where I have him every other weekend. However, my ex, who lives next door, sometimes keeps him from coming over, especially when she's upset with me, or sends him elsewhere. This behavior... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
It sounds like your ex’s actions are causing emotional harm to your son, which is a serious concern. Since you have joint legal custody, your ex is required to follow the custody agreement. If she is preventing your son from coming over or sending him elsewhere without a valid reason, this could... View More
I am in the process of a divorce and want to know if I can transfer my half of the house deed ownership to my ex-husband. There is no existing divorce agreement or court order regarding property division, but there is a tax lien on the property, and disputes regarding property division exist. The... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It sounds like you're in a complicated situation with your property and divorce. Since there is no court order yet regarding the division of the property, transferring your half of the deed could be tricky, especially with the tax lien and ongoing disputes. You would likely need to work out an... View More
Can my parents legally kick me out of the house and keep my belongings while I'm still 17? They found out I shared with friends how stressful they make my life, and they now don't consider me their child. I want to leave as soon as possible and take my belongings with me. My online... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Virginia, you are still considered a minor at 17, and your parents generally have legal control over your living situation and possessions. While parents are typically allowed to set rules about where you live, they cannot simply throw you out or keep your belongings without legal grounds. If... View More
I have a failure to appear charge for a child support case scheduled on 3/19/25. My court-appointed lawyer had advised me that she would handle it, but now I am charged with failure to appear. I contacted her by phone on 1/11/25 regarding handling the court date, and again left a message today,... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
You should contact the court that issued the failure to appear as soon as possible. Let them know you were under the impression that your court-appointed attorney was handling the appearance and that you didn’t intend to ignore the court date. Ask if you can file a motion to explain the situation... View More
In the state of Virginia, I'm 15 years old, and I've been using my own money to pay for my phone. However, my parents took it away. Although the phone contract is under their name, they confiscated the phone because I went to track practice for a race instead of coming straight home to... View More
answered on Apr 2, 2025
Short answer: Yes. Their house; their rules. You are a minor, and it is their job to guide you and teach you. Sounds to me like they are doing a good job. It would be a great job if they succeeded at communicating the message that you need to perform your assigned duties to keep your mutual home... View More
I finalized my divorce in September 2024 and was awarded a rental house in Virginia through the court order. I started paying the mortgage in August 2024, but my ex-spouse continued making payments from his bank account, and I reimbursed him since my loan assumption attempt was denied. He is now... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Since you were awarded the rental house in your divorce and have been making mortgage payments since August 2024, you are likely the one entitled to claim the property on your taxes for the year. Even though your ex-spouse continued making payments temporarily and you reimbursed him, the IRS... View More
My husband and I previously filed taxes jointly and entered a payment plan with the IRS. We are now separated due to abuse, and I'm filing taxes separately. He has failed to pay his portion of our agreed tax payment plan. I've been unable to contact the IRS for guidance and have an audio... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It’s understandable that you’re facing a difficult situation, especially given the financial and emotional stress of your separation. Since the IRS payment plan is in both of your names, you're still responsible for the full amount owed, even if your spouse is not contributing. The first... View More
I'm facing a legal issue where my ex-wife has failed to provide my son's Social Security number, preventing me from adding him to my insurance plan. I've attempted to communicate with her lawyer via email but have received no response, and I'm legally restricted from contacting... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
Given your situation, it’s important to document all of your attempts to obtain your son’s Social Security number. Since you're restricted from contacting your ex-wife directly, continue reaching out to her lawyer in writing, and make sure you keep copies of all communication. If you... View More
On December 20, 2024, I signed a separation agreement under pressure, as my attorney withdrew and I was served a rule to show cause for a violation. The agreement involved renegotiating a mortgage from $2,266.29 to $1,242.03 per month, which is now $1,700 due to included taxes. Previously, I was... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
That sounds like a deeply stressful situation, especially with the financial pressure and the feeling that you were backed into a decision without proper support. In Virginia, a separation agreement can sometimes be challenged if it was signed under duress, coercion, or without fair representation.... View More
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