Virginia Divorce & Custody Law

What to Bring to Your First Meeting with Your Attorney

The first hour with your attorney is often the most valuable time your Family Law attorney will spend with you. Your attorney will gather the facts of your case, identify the issues that need to be addressed immediately and those that are not as urgent but still need attention. If you provide enough documents and information about the facts in your case, your attorney should be able to give you a fair assessment of your marital estate, the approximate level of support if the facts warrant it and tell you an approximate mid point for settling or splitting the marital estate.

You Do Not Need a “Separation Agreement” To Prove That You Are Separated

You do not need a written agreement in Virginia to establish the fact that you and your spouse are separated. One of the grounds of divorce in Virginia is living separate and apart for 12 months (6 months if you do not have minor children and if you have a signed agreement fully resolving all issues arising out of your marriage). Whether or not you are separated is purely a factual issue that the court will determine. To be separated, two factors need to coincide: (1) physical separation; and (2) one of the spouses must form the intention to remain permanently living separate and apart.