Generally, mediation is an alternative to a court hearing that people use to resolve their disputes. is a particular type of mediation, focusing on helping couples resolve divorce-related issues like custody, property division and spousal support.In most ways, divorce mediation works like any other type of mediation. It is a confidential process, meaning that what people say during a mediation session cannot come back to haunt them in court.For the most part, mediation is also a voluntary process. Some Northern Virginia judges might order a couple to give mediation a good faith effort, but courts cannot force anyone to enter…
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Child custody disputes can quickly become heated. If yours does, then you could find yourself on the receiving end of parental alienation accusations. Parental alienation is the process of manipulating a child to distance them from their other parent, usually in hopes of securing a more favorable custody arrangement. Parental alienation can run the spectrum of severity, too, including everything from withholding the other parent’s access to the child to abuse or neglect.If you’ve been accused of parental alienation, then you need to be prepared to fight back. After all, courts have become more receptive to these arguments, which means…
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Virginia parents who are ending their relationship and in the middle of a dispute over child custody will have a litany of concerns. Often, a parent enters the process thinking they are already at a disadvantage for a variety of reasons. One is the preconceived notion that one parent will receive preferential treatment because of their gender.From the start, people need to understand that state law does not factor in a person’s gender when it decides on child custody and parenting time. Still, parents must be vigilant about every part of the child custody determination. To reach a favorable outcome,…
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Yes, you may have options to address hidden assets even after your divorce is final. Courts in Virginia treat asset concealment seriously because it can disrupt a balanced division of marital property. If you learn that your ex-spouse withheld income or property after the divorce, there are steps you might consider to protect your interests.What happens if you uncover concealed assets?Finding undeclared property or funds after a divorce can allow you to petition the court to reopen or adjust the divorce order. You will need to show evidence that your ex-spouse intentionally hid those assets during the proceedings. Depending…
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In Virginia family law cases, children can be caught in the middle. Often, both parents want to receive primary custody of their child. When the court assesses cases in which custody is in dispute, there are fundamental factors it will consider. For some parents, there have been past issues that could be brought up as the case moves forward.While this might be worrisome, it does not necessarily mean that the parent who is confronted with past challenges has no chance at getting custody. In these cases, it is important to recognize what could be referenced in the case and how…
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The more assets that spouses share with one another, the more opportunities there are for complications during divorce. Couples who have built a well-diversified portfolio of assets may have a lengthy negotiation process ahead as they prepare to divide their resources during divorce.To reach a fair outcome, spouses generally need to have an understanding of what their property is worth. Seeking out professional valuations of the most important assets in a marital estate can make a major difference for divorcing spouses.Why does valuation matter?Asset valuation is important during divorce because spouses may not know what their assets are truly worth.
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Divorce requires honesty, especially about money. If one spouse hides assets-like cash, property, or income-it can impact how the court divides everything. Virginia law demands complete financial disclosure from both parties. Lying about money can lead to serious legal trouble.Common methods of hiding assetsIndividuals may try to obscure assets by transferring them to friends or relatives, opening undisclosed bank accounts, underreporting income, or deferring bonuses and commissions. Some make large cash purchases to avoid creating a paper trail. These tactics create the illusion of having fewer assets than actually exist.Legal response to concealmentWhen a court discovers that one spouse has…
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