articles

Navigating Social Media During Divorce:
Avoiding TMI in the Information Age
by Patricia C. Palmer, Paralegal

The world is more connected than ever. Thanks to social networking websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Myspace, you can reconnect with your childhood best friend, first romance or college roommate.
Read More

The Basics of Divorce Law for Non-Lawyers
by Theresa Mihalik, J.D.
Pamela M. Pacetti, J.D.
Anne (Jan) W. White, J.D.
Al Bonin, J.D.

Meditation and arbitration are viable options in all jurisdictions. In mediation, the parties work with a mediator in the hope of resolving all matters. Nothing is binding unless the parties agree.
Read More

The Importance of an Income and Expense Statement
by Nicole B. Hillyard

An income and expense statement is often used when determining spousal support and/or child support. Both parties will typically need to complete these statements.
Read More

Implementing Division of Assets Incident to Divorce
by Tina Fewell

Inevitably upon divorce, there exist assets that must be divided between parties.
Read More

What You Should Know About Child Support and Today’s Economy
by Molly M. Garrett

Under Virginia law both parents are responsible for the financial support of their minor children.
Read More

Some Tips on How to Respond to Discovery Requests

by Suellen K. Honeychuck, RP®

The discovery process in a family law matter is a critical aspect. It’s the formal process of sharing information about each party’s case,
Read More

Think Before You Sign!

by Grant T. Moher

Most divorces, including contentious ones, do not end up in a final court hearing. Rather, they end with both parties signing an Agreement,
Read More

Illustrative Evidence In A Family Law Context

by Luke S. Abraham

According to Black’s Law Dictionary, it is something that tends to prove or disprove the existence of an alleged fact, including testimony, documents, and tangible objects.
Read More

Separation of Spouses While Continuing to Live Under the Same Roof
by Robert E. Shoun, Esq.

Spouses from time to time decide to effect marital separation while continuing to reside in the same household.
Read More

Estate Planning During a Divorce
by Ryan M. Schmisek

It may seem shocking, but even after you have filed a divorce case against your spouse or your spouse has filed one against you
Read More

The Role of a Paralegal in Discovery
by Tina Fewell

Discovery is the process during litigation when information and documentation relative to the matter is formally exchanged between the parties, usually through counsel.
Read More

How Paralegals Help Attorneys Save Clients Money
by Julia Colque

It is no secret that legal fees can be very high due to the extensive amount of work that the attorneys have to do in order to successfully complete a case.
Read More

Equitable Distribution of Property in Virginia
by Grant T. Moher

Do the words “Brandenburg,” “Keeling,” or “reasonable rate of return,” mean anything to you?
Read More

Selecting the Right Family Law Attorney
by Robert E. Shoun

Choosing an attorney to represent you in a divorce is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
Read More

Determining Your Attorney’s Qualifications
by Robert E. Shoun

There are several ways to determine the professional qualifications of your attorney and his or her firm.
Read More

Classification of Property in Virginia Divorce Practice
by Robert E. Shoun

Virginia Courts, in decreeing division (“equitable distribution”) of property in divorce cases, are required first to determine the legal title to all of the divorcing spouses’ property,
Read More

Planning for a Divorce
by Susan M. Butler

Although no person wants to think about planning for a divorce, divorce occurs in almost 50 percent of all marriages.
Read More

Grounds for a Virginia Divorce
by Grant T. Moher

A final divorce decree may be granted to a spouse based on one of several grounds:
Read More

Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act
by Hope F. Rosen

The Child Support Recovery Act (CSRA) of 1992, makes the willful failure to pay a past due support obligation with respect to a child residing in another state a federal misdemeanor offense.
Read More

Child Custody and Religion
by Gerald R. Curran

Religion is usually not an issue in child custody proceedings, even if the parents practice different religions.
Read More

Enforcement of Child Support
by Ryan M. Schmisek

When a court enters an order of child support, it orders one party to pay a certain sum of money to another for the support of a child.
Read More

Child Neglect
by Luke S. Abraham

Every child has the right to expect that their parent or primary responsible caregiver will reasonably and prudently provide clothing, food,
Read More

International Family Law Issues
by Philip Schwartz and Al Bonin

The mention of international family law often produces puzzlement as to what it is. The commonplace view is that the field primarily deals with children being abducted from one country to another.
Read More