Divorce

In Virginia, a divorce may be based on separation, either for one year separation or a six month separation if you have no children and a signed Property Settlement Agreement. There are also fault grounds for divorce, which include adultery, desertion, cruelty and other grounds of marital fault. There are also residency and service requirements which are important in divorce cases. The decision as to whether to pursue a divorce is a critical and personal one for each client.

Divorce is the termination of a marriage. For the people going through the process it may be very difficult emotionally but the legalities are quite simple.

The legal issues arising from a divorce generally deal with what should happen after the marriage is over and the two spouses live apart, as well as what arrangements involve children and/or money.

With regards to children, the main issues are:

1. Where will they live?
2. Who decides what is best for them?
3. How will they continue their relationship with both parents?
4. Who provides the money to support them?

Issues about money usually concern:

1. How to divide property acquired during the marriage?
2. Whether one spouse will continue to provide money to support the other and, if so, how much that support will be and how long will it have to be paid.