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Virginia Family Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Foreclosure and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: Is my wife responsible for the foreclosure of her ex-husbands house if she waived all housing rights when she divorced.

The reason for the question is that he passed away before the foreclosure. As I said, she waived all housing rights in the divorce agreement, but it seems as though she'll have a "foreclosure" on her record if we don't sort this out. My understanding is if she's susceptible... View More

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Jan 24, 2024

If the mortgage loan and title to real property in Virginia is joint, then both spouses have rights and liabilities. If one spouse will receive the real property incident to a divorce, that spouse should be required to sell or refinance the property in order to remove the other spouse from his or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Virginia on
Q: My father died over two years ago. My brother is the executor. He is not communicating with me anymore.

I have contacted the circuit court and they are saying my brother is failing to provide information. I think my brother is hiding something. Should I hire my own attorney?

Dominic Paul Lascara
Dominic Paul Lascara
answered on Jan 24, 2024

You may need to hire an attorney to look into your brother's actions while serving as the Executor in your father's estate. Your brother has a fiduciary duty to protect your interest and deal fairly and openly with you. His actions or inactions could warrant his removal as the Executor.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: What are my legal options?

My mother passed away last year and was living on family owned land that was supposed to be put in her name and never was. The land is part of my grandfathers estate that passed away 1987-88.Now there is a dispute on how much land there is in the estate my grandfather left that was never... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jan 22, 2024

Your alternatives are to get a competent lawyer to review the titles and the estates so you can make a proper claim in this "heir property" case; or, you can bend over and wait to find where the moon don't shine. If you think this is a DIY case, you are making the second choice. The... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: Can I file for a divorce without my spouse in Virginia?

My spouse is trying to keep in a marriage against my will.

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Jan 16, 2024

A divorce can be obtained in Virginia without the mutual consent of the parties, provided the appropriate Circuit Court has jurisdiction. If a spouse wants to affect his or her spouse's property rights, the court must have personal jurisdiction over the defendant spouse, which requires some... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Virginia on
Q: My boyfriend is abused at home, and my family wants to shelter him. Is there a way to legally do so while he is underage
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

If your boyfriend is experiencing abuse at home, it's essential to prioritize his safety and well-being. In Virginia, if a minor is facing abuse or neglect, the Department of Social Services (DSS) can intervene. You or your boyfriend can contact the local DSS office, and they will investigate... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Juvenile Law for Virginia on
Q: My boyfriend is abused at home, and my family wants to shelter him. Is there a way to legally do so while he is underage
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

I understand your concern for your boyfriend's safety. In Virginia, if a minor is experiencing abuse at home and needs a safe place to stay, there are options available. One option is to contact Child Protective Services (CPS) or the local Department of Social Services to report the abuse.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law, Child Support and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: Is dental care fall under medical expenses to pay for non custodial parents

If I’m ordered to pay 45% of medical bills for child expenses, does dental fall under medical expenses

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 28, 2023

In the context of child support orders, the inclusion of dental care expenses can vary based on the specific language of the court order or agreement. While medical expenses often include doctor visits, prescriptions, and other health-related costs, dental care is sometimes explicitly mentioned,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Family Law, Civil Litigation and Libel & Slander for Virginia on
Q: Is this grounds for a civil lawsuit for my mother?

My father (ex husband) and his new wife keep sending my mother harassing messages to bring down her self esteem saying she is being monitored and they will cut off her alimony as well as going as far as my mothers church Facebook group to write negative things about my mother. Is this grounds for... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 23, 2023

In Virginia, the situation your mother is facing with her ex-husband and his new wife sending harassing messages and posting negative comments about her could potentially be grounds for a civil lawsuit. Harassment and defamation (if the statements made are false and damaging to her reputation) are... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: I'm a US citizen, but I got divorced in a foreign country. How do I get that recognized in Virginia?

The principles of comity (what I understand of it) were met (i.e. notice was given and the spouse filing for divorce had residency there).

What do I have to do to get that divorce registered here in Virginia where I live? Do I need to file something, get a foreign order registered, or do a... View More

Jordan A. Fanney
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answered on Dec 19, 2023

If a valid divorce is granted in a foreign country there generally is no requirement to have the order registered in Virginia. Virginia, under principles of comity as you have mentioned, generally recognizes foreign orders so long as they don't violate an important Virginia public policy.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Two bro own house . One lives in house, one at the lake Can lake bro come in home whenever no notice Can I trespass him.

Property was inherited from deceased parents. Older bro lives in house, gets his mail there and pays all house hold bills from home. The small bro lives elsewhere for years bu shows up and uses his childhoid key to come in house unannounced and uninvited. The last time he did this we called the... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Dec 2, 2023

If one brother wishes exclusive use of the house, then he needs to buy the other brother’s half. Merely paying the bills doesn’t change that both brothers own it. Both brothers may use the undivided whole house. I know of no requirement for notice unless there is a lease in place giving... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law, Civil Rights, Divorce and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: Vawa application status

My cousin applied for VAwA application for adjustments of status after being here for more than 13 years.What would you recommend to be done to help after his wide abuse him and threatens to report him to

Immigration

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 28, 2023

To assist your cousin with their VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) application status, especially in the context of abuse and threats related to immigration status, there are several steps and considerations to keep in mind:

Legal Assistance: It's crucial to get legal advice from an...
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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law, Civil Rights, Divorce and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: Vawa application status

My cousin applied for VAwA application for adjustments of status after being here for more than 13 years.What would you recommend to be done to help after his wide abuse him and threatens to report him to

Immigration

Glendia  Del Evans
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Glendia Del Evans
answered on Dec 12, 2023

Once your cousin's marriage was in good faith, any threats of "reporting" or hurting a non-citizens immigration status is taken very serious by Domestic Relations Courts in Virginia and serious consequences for the U.S. spouse. There are laws that specifically address this issue. It... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: Who can assist me with a quitclaim deed document?

I’m getting an uncontested divorce and under the terms of our agreement, refinance is scheduled to occur in a timeframe not to exceed 4 yrs. The loan is joint and so is the title. We have decided, I will stay in the house; can I change the title to my name via a quitclaim deed? Is it straight... View More

Dominic Paul Lascara
Dominic Paul Lascara
answered on Nov 15, 2023

Any attorney that practices in the area of real estate should be able to assist you. I have drafted many deeds being executed pursuant to a divorce or a settlement agreement. However, when both parties are on the title to the property, I have never used a "Quitclaim" deed, but instead I... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: My husband and I were together but not married when we bought our home in 2010. Now married, am I entitled to equity?

Been married since 2012, and the house has been our family home since. He never added me to the deed or loan claiming I couldn't be on them because we weren't married. I have paid into the mortgage for several years and i have paid for upgrades, repairs and maintenance. Utilities are in... View More

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Nov 8, 2023

Equitable distribution is a 3 step process in Virginia. First, the judge classifies all property as marital, separate, or hybrid - a mix of marital and separate. The judge also classifies debt as marital or separate. Second, the judge gives a valuation to all items of marital and hybrid... View More

Q: One parents right get terminated the other gets full custody can the one parent allow the other to see kids

When the parent that's has custody never lets the one that don't see them unsupervised

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 5, 2023

If one parent's rights have been terminated, legally they would not have any inherent rights to visitation or custody of the children. The parent with full custody has the discretion to allow the other parent to see the children, but this is a personal choice and not a legal obligation. Should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Constitutional Law and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: I made an offer of custody with 5 major points can the responder only act on one? Without accepting all other points
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 5, 2023

In custody negotiations, if you propose an agreement with multiple points, the other party is not obligated to accept all terms as presented. They may choose to agree to some points while rejecting or wishing to negotiate others. Each point can be independently considered and negotiated. It's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: If the judge says he's not going to hear a case for modification only the case for contempt then makes a ruling on both

Is that legal

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Oct 27, 2023

Judges have a great deal of discretion in how they run their courtroom. Some judges even change their minds during the course of a proceeding. If a litigant does not like how a judge rules in a particular case, the litigant can either object with reasons to create a record for appeal, if the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: I owned my before marriage. Is my spouse entitled to any equity accrued to the home. I reside in Virginia
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 26, 2023

In Virginia, property you owned before marriage is generally considered separate property, and your spouse may not have a legal claim to the equity accrued in the home. However, several factors can influence this, such as any changes in the property's character during the marriage,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: I owned my before marriage. Is my spouse entitled to any equity accrued to the home. I reside in Virginia
James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Oct 27, 2023

If the spouses are unable to agree on the division of marital property, a judge sitting in equitable distribution incident to a divorce can divide marital property and allocate marital debt. The first step for the judge is to classify all property as separate, marital, or hybrid - a combination of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Virginia on
Q: Found out my marriage is Void Ab Initio.. how do I get a decree from local Judge that confirms this? Form required?

I've seen a form in some areas of Virginia but others not. Is it the same petition form as a divorce?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 20, 2023

In Virginia, if you've determined that your marriage is void ab initio (meaning it was invalid from the beginning), you can seek a decree confirming this from a local judge. The specific process and forms may vary depending on the jurisdiction within Virginia. You can start by contacting the... View More

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