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Now that you've decided to end your marriage, you may wonder whether you need to hire a lawyer or if you can handle the divorce on your own. Though you may be a competent and capable do-it-yourselfer in many other areas, law – and especially divorce law – is one field that's best left to the professionals. Here's what you need to know about the dangers of a DIY Virginia divorce and how MacDowell Law...

There’s no doubt that ending a marriage can be a messy process. When tensions run high, spouses may lash out by saying things that are incredibly hurtful. Sometimes, this may even rise to the level of defamation—as seen in John C. Depp, II v. Amber Laura Heard (CL-2019-2911). At the heart of the dispute between actor Johnny Depp and actress Amber Heard is a December 2018 opinion column in Depp is suing Heard for $50...

Divorce is a devastating circumstance for all involved, no matter how amicable the divorcing couple is. While there are plenty of things to worry about, from finances to child custody, sometimes it’s the details that make things complicated and painful. One example of this might be family heirlooms. These precious and sentimental objects can be a point of contention and pain for many parting couples. The ownership of family heirlooms following divorce depends upon a...

Divorce is a heartbreaking process. The goal should be for it to be as amicable as possible, especially when there are children involved. One way to accomplish this is through an uncontested divorce. This route will save you time and money, along with a lot of stress and hurt. Unfortunately, too many couples make the mistake of navigating through an uncontested divorce without the guidance of an attorney. What Is an Uncontested Divorce? In the...

Divorce is difficult under any circumstance, but it is especially painful when children are involved. You likely have many unanswered questions. How can you best protect your child emotionally? What happens if you or a spouse move out of the area? How does child support work? How Child Custody Is Determined Family courts in Virginia try to maintain the child’s time and contact with both parents whenever possible and appropriate. The judge will consider a variety...

Divorce is a devastating process. On top of the emotional toll, there are many financial and practical considerations to think about—especially if children are involved. While going through this difficult time, it’s important to ensure all aspects of your life are taken care of—including estate planning. If you drafted a will with your spouse, it’s likely you made decisions together that no longer make sense. This is why it’s important to make necessary changes as...

The desire to start a new life isn’t one that’s unheard of when you go through a divorce. For some divorcees, this is as simple as moving to a new state. But there are some challenges when you share children with your ex. Fortunately, there are laws in place that help ensure that both parents can remain active parts of the child’s life despite the distance between them. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement...

Being married to a narcissist is a challenge because they don’t have the ability to think about anyone other themselves. They’ll use various tactics to get their way, and they don’t mind having to turn to manipulation or even abuse to make that happen. Once a person has had enough of this behavior, they might decide that it is time to divorce the narcissist. While that might seem like an easy solution, you’ll soon find...

Military spouses may face more obstacles when they end their marriage. More laws must be navigated because a military divorce is governed by federal and Virginia laws. Understanding the differences from a civilian divorce can help assure that you do not surrender important rights. Where to File Residency for filing for filing for divorce and related matters is defined as residency plus intent to remain. Connections with a state determine this residency. These include a...

You know that you want to get divorced, but what is your reasoning? Maybe you don’t even have a concrete reason. Many couples seek a divorce because they simply “fell out of love.” This could mean that you just drifted apart over time. Neither you nor your partner did anything wrong, but you can still tell that this is not a marriage you want to stay in. Even if you can’t pinpoint the reason, there...