Decades of experience in family law, divorce and mediation.
Because Virginia is not a community property state, a variable annuity is supposed to be divided equitably in a divorce. This means that it does not have to be divided equally. The couple getting a divorce or a judge may determine what constitutes an “equitable” division, but whoever decides, dividing a variable annuity without triggering […]
Social Security benefits can play a huge role in the quality of life enjoyed by retired people in Virginia. The Social Security Administration reports that one in five retired married couples depend on social security payments for 90% of their income. Social Security benefits are supposed to represent 40% of the income available to retirees. […]
According to a financial wealth expert, there are three circumstances that definitely warrant signing a prenup because of the protections it can provide. The first is when a person has children and is going into a second marriage. In this case, a prenup can establish that the correct spouse’s children get their inheritance in case […]
Married Virginia residents who are going through a divorce can take some steps to make the separation process a little more bearable. For most people, relying on friends and family for emotional support can be very beneficial. Though it is good to vent, a support system can be used for more than just a sounding […]
Virginia parents who are in the middle of a divorce will be concerned about how their children will adapt to the new circumstances. Child custody and visitation rights can be complex and lead to acrimony. Even parents who are on reasonably good terms can be vulnerable to hard feelings as a case moves forward. One […]
Children will be vulnerable in a Virginia divorce. For many families, the marriage has reached a point where the spouses can no longer stay together, but they are concerned about how the children will respond. There are certain strategies that might be considered with children in a divorce. Understanding and implementing them may make the […]
Couples in Virginia who are going through a divorce may already be receiving unsolicited advice from friends, family and even coworkers. Though it is good to have a personal support network, not everything that everyone has to say is worth listening to. Instead, individuals may rely on professionals, such as therapists and a family law […]
In Virginia, there are times when couples get a divorce after many years of marriage. In these cases, the marital estate can contain investments and other property. It can also hold retirement accounts that both spouses are relying on to help fund their retirements. Given that these accounts must now support two people, there will […]
Some people in Virginia might be unpleasantly surprised to learn during a divorce that their spouse has moved what they believed to be shared assets into an asset protection trust. South Dakota has a booming business in asset protection trusts, and people from all over the world have stored money there to avoid taxes or […]
The use of prenuptial agreements is on the rise nationwide and in Virginia. One class of people who can benefit the most from this agreement are those who have owned their own business prior to the marriage. The prenuptial agreement can help protect the business and their assets in the event that the marriage ends […]