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What is in the best interests of the child is an important family law standard to be familiar with. What is in the best interests of the child guides child custody decision-making. Because of this, it is important for divorcing parents to be familiar with. The focus of child custody determinations is what is in the best interests of the child. This is true whether the family law court is developing a child custody arrangement...

Spousal support is one of the issues divorcing couples may need to resolve when they decide to end their marriage. In Virginia, spousal support is generally awarded only when it is necessary, so it is also useful to be aware of what necessary circumstances might be and when the court commonly awards spousal support. In Virginia, the family law court may award spousal support during divorce in circumstances when there is a large gap in...

Criminal defense rights are critical for the protection of individuals accused of crimes. The criminal justice system can be intimidating for accused individuals to deal with, making knowing how to develop a criminal defense strategy vital for accused individuals facing any type of criminal charges. Both the U.S. Constitution and the Virginia Constitution help protect the rights of individuals accused of crimes. One protection accused individuals enjoy is the right to be free from unreasonable...

Strong legal strategies are essential for any accused individual facing criminal charges. The right criminal defense strategy can potentially help the accused avoid incarceration or significant fines. It could also potentially reduce the penalties and consequences the accused is facing. As a result, accused individuals should be familiar with how to defend against criminal charges. There are different options available to defend against criminal charges. The best criminal defense strategy depends on the situation —...

Child custody was once a winner-take-all situation in the majority of divorces. The courts across the country used to favor custody arrangements in which one spouse received primary custody and the other received visitation. However, years of psychological and social research have made it clear that single-parent custody solutions usually don’t benefit the children as much as shared custody. Courts across the country, including in Virginia, now prefer to split physical and legal custody between...

Property division is one of the issues that will need to be worked out during the divorce process. It is helpful for divorcing couples in Virginia to understand how property division is handled according to the law. Divorcing couples likely have many property division questions. Reaching a property division settlement agreement during a divorce can be a challenging process for many couples, however, family law resources may be able to make it a little simpler...

Putting children through college has become so expensive that many couples begin planning for college savings before they ever even get pregnant with their first child. Other than saving for retirement, saving for a child’s college education will likely be the largest savings effort you make in your life. Even if your child goes to an affordable state or community college, a single year’s tuition could likely exceed the down payment you saved for your...

Child custody is often an important issue when Virginia parents decide to divorce. Individuals who share children may know that they do not want to be in relationships any longer but may not know how to separate their lives while providing their children with what they need. With the help of their family law attorneys, many parents can make responsible decisions about how to share and co-parent their kids with their exes. Child custody involves...

Spring has arrived in Northern Virginia and more Fairfax residents may be choosing to spend time outdoors as the weather begins to warm. Residents may opt to play with their children outdoors or walk to work as temperatures rise and signs of winter begin to melt away. As they increase their time outside of their homes they may become aware of the dangers that can threaten their safety when they are near roads. Collisions between...

One of the most common questions people have about their own rights is when police can legally search their home. After all, the Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. Over the years, there have been both state and federal court cases that have helped to establish when it is legal for law enforcement to enter your home and when doing so violates your basic civil liberties. Understanding when law enforcement has the...