Virginia Family Law Questions & Answers
Q: Unfortunately we are behind on rent and our water and electric is included and they are up for discount. Please advise
What is your question?
Q: How can I be permitted to visit with my 11 year old nephew, if the parents do not allow me to?
They are not legally separated, but live in separate dwellings.
Va. Code § 20-124.2. Court-ordered custody and visitation arrangements.
. . .
B. In determining custody, the court shall give primary consideration to the best interests of the child. The court shall consider and may award joint legal, joint physical, or sole custody, and there... Read more »
Q: I filed divorce from my husband. My lawyer is telling me to decide on a dollar amount for child support
We have 2 children age 5 and age 11. How do I come up with this figure? Is there a guideline for the state of Virginia? What if I pick a number too high and he won’t sign? How do I know what is fair?
One does not decide on a dollar figure.
Va. Code 20-108.1 and 20-108.2 lay out in detail how child support is calculated. Both statutes state that the guideline amount determined by the formula must first be calculated by the judge, and is presumed to be the correct amount of child support.
Q: Is it easier to get a divorce than an anullment? I married someone to help them immigrate, now very ugly
She is from Jordan and is living with me - we have not had any relations. I want her out of my house and out of my life. She is here on a tourist visa. She has two children - she signed a pre nuptial agreement.
It is a common misconception that you can get an annulment in Virginia when a marriage hasn't been consummated. The grounds for annulment in this state are very narrow, so it's pretty uncommon.
It is much more common for couples to file for divorce, even if they have had short or... Read more »
Q: in a non-community property state, can a spouse obtain your finances for dates post-separation? How is it relevant?
Ongoing divorce, assets are completely separate, both parties worked and have their own accounts. Wife is now seeking my financial information post-date of separation to present. How is that relevant?
During a divorce, many couples go through a process called equitable distribution, which is essentially the division of any property owned during the marriage. One or both spouses may also request spousal support (alimony) or child support.
Obtaining financial documents, especially income... Read more »
Q: How long do you have to respond to Va. code 20-146.26
This notice of request was left on my door, but I can not find a date that I need to respond anywhere.
Either the order to be registered is the order in effect or it is not. There is no reason to delay disputing the order to be registered if it is not the order in effect.
Q: What can I do cps lied
They went into foster care for 5 days were physically abused . They have been taken from the only family that they have ever known .they are traumatized this is all bcuz i am a convicted felon of 15 years ago there is so much to this. I can peove ur all i need help to get them back home where... Read more »
I regret that I do not handle family law matters, child abuse law matters or domestic relations law matters. Sorry.
Q: FDivorce/family law in VA. Can motions to stay ,reconsider and an appeal be filed for at same time?dead line to file?
Yes, file all 3.
Orders become final after 21 days, i.e., the judge cannot modify them even if the judge wanted to. So, the motion to stay the finality of the order suspends the 21 day clock to allow more time to rule on the motion to reconsider.
Notice of appeals from circuit court... Read more »
Q: What is a valid disclaimer of marital interest in Virginia and how do I go about drafting such a disclaimer?
My wife is in the process of making a business investment, however I as the husband can't be party to the the business and I need to make a disclaimer to that effect. Essentially a disclaimer of marital interest.
Spouses in Virginia can enter into enforceable marital agreements under Virginia Code Section 20-155 of the Virginia Premarital Agreement Act. These agreements take different forms, including prenuptial agreements or antenuptial agreements, marital agreements, separation agreements, stipulations... Read more »
Q: My child father attacked me in front of our child. His 2nd domestic violence charge. Will he get custody/visitation?
I have sole physical & legal custody, visitation reserved to father, at mother’s discretion, since 2017. My child father attacked me when he dropped her off to my home, after having her for the weekend. DV has been an ongoing issue for years, and my daughter show signs to be traumatized. So I... Read more »
I have moved your question to family law because that is the area of law you have a question about. Domestic violence and criminal law is for those charged with offenses in those areas and requiring answers related to such.
Q: Parents divorcing. 4 year olds custody to be decided. Child regularly says he doesn't want to be with his mother.
I'm in desperate need of help. My best friend is going through a tumultuous custody battle with his soon-to-be ex-wife. He's currently an unemployed single father who's doing the best he can given his situation. Everyday this woman makes it harder and harder on him. We have spoken to multiple... Read more »
You are going to want to find a local family law lawyer in the jurisdiction where this is taking place and go with the best one. That may very well not be the lowest fee but it may not be the highest fee either. Any good family law lawyer will be able to guide him through the process.
Q: If the father is absent for 9 years and wants visitation is he likely to get it no established relationship
He disappeared when she was 2 years old had nothing to do with her from the time she was born has jump from state to state and is now filing for visitation my daughter has never met this man before we tried going through a mediator and he follows nothing we agree to what are my options I would like... Read more »
Every court and judge is different. They will look at a number of factors. I don't know what your custody situation is right now but custody and visitation are different. Someone can have sole custody and there can still be a visitation order in place. Generally Virginia law leans towards having... Read more »
Q: How long is the unlawful detainer process against a family member, in Virgia Beach?
My office is in Alexandria City. I have no experience with Virginia Beach. Sorry.
Q: Can I kick my adult son , his girlfriend and her kids out of my house. They were supposed to leave before Jan 1
My adult son moved in with me after he got out of jail. He does not pay for anything or have a lease. He moved his girlfriend and her kids inand then gave me a sob story when I said for them to leave. A verbal agreement gave them until January 1 to leave and now they will not go. If I cannot... Read more »
Generally, family members are not considered tenants, however, if you want to make them vacate the premises, you will have to proceed with the requirements for an unlawful detainer in court since self-help, such as refusing the use of the washer and the kitchen, is prohibited in residential lease... Read more »
Q: My support order includes 75% of medical bills. I am getting billed $500 plus a month- it's a struggle. Modification?
Child support orders in Virginia can be modified upon a threshold showing of a material change in financial circumstances. A child support order will normally include responsibility for a parent's income share of medical bills not covered by health insurance. It is not clear from your question... Read more »
Q: Is it necessary to file for Divorce in VA if Marriage Certificate was not filed with court within 30 days of ceremony?
My fiance and I obtained a Marriage License from a VA Court Clerks office and held a marriage ceremony in the presence of 150 guests (within 60 days time of obtaining the license) in Virginia. However, the marriage certificate was never filed by the officiant after the ceremony. If the Marriage... Read more »
Virginia's public policy favors marriage and the validity of marriage in the Commonwealth. As such, Virginia has several curative statutes that may validate imperfect marriages. In addition, a party who questions the validity of a marriage may file a suit to determine the validity of the marriage... Read more »
Q: How quickly can a lawyer domesticate a Florida Final Judgement and get a hearing on a Motion for contempt?
The Final Judgement of Paternity and Parenting Plan were entered in FL. They have moved to VA recently. I filed a Motion for Contempt Florida due to the jurisdiction. Nothing ties anyone involved to FL anymore. We are dual military. Therefore, my lawyer advised me to get a second opinion from a VA... Read more »
Get a "triple sealed" copy of the FL order. File it with a form DC582 in your local Va. JDR court.
The court will send notice to the other party that they contest registration of the order if it is no longer in effect.
Once registered, Va. will give full faith and credit to the Fl.... Read more »
Q: Does my wife's attorney have to communicate with me if I am acting as my own counsel?
I am acting as my attorney and some issues have arisen regarding my minor child. I wrote a very specific series of questions to my wife's attorney but he never responded. Does he have to consider me to be OC in this matter and communicate with me?
If you do not have an attorney of record, then you should be treated as opposing counsel in the matter.
Q: I want my boyfriend to leave my home and he is refusing to. It is my home that I own.
We have a son together but are not married. I bought my house when him and I were not together. The mortgage and bills are all in my name and only I pay for the bills. He is verbally abusive and will make threats to hit me. I have a couple recordings on my phone, but i am not sure if they will hold... Read more »
There are several potential issues. For safety reasons you may be able to get a temporary restraining order based on threats. From a perspective of landlord/tenant law he may very well be living in the home under a month to month tenancy and if that is the case you can give him notice to vacate and... Read more »
Q: Can I file for emergency temporary full custody of my son?
Me my wife and son came to visit her family in Tennessee. While here she confessed she was talking to another man in Alabama. After getting in a argument about it she called this man and got him to pick her up. She left me and my son in Tennessee with her family with no car and barely any money... Read more »
You will need to talk to a North Carolina family law attorney to get this done, and I advise you do that quickly as time often matters in this type of determination. Our best to you.
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