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In Fairfax and across Virginia, drug charges are generally perceived to be related to illegal substances, like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other scheduled narcotics. Street dealers, distributors and traffickers are common targets of police investigations. While legal violations related to these drugs will lead to an arrest, people who are trusted with the right to give prescriptions can also face drug charges. Medical professionals who are accused of illegal behavior with prescription drugs must remember...

One of the things parties may fail to consider when going through a divorce are tax ramifications. Once a divorce is finalized, the next tax filing period will look a lot different. First, you must remember to change your withholdings with your employer. You will now claim single rather than married. If children are involved, your dependents may also need to be changed depending on your custody agreement. This is a very important step, as...

When the courts set the final terms for child custody and support in your divorce, they issue a final decree in the form of a court order. Many people view these documents as legally binding and permanent, but that isn’t always the case. While any court order is legally binding and requires compliance from its subjects, it is possible to change court orders if the circumstances in your life also change. The child support that...

Property division during divorce can feel overwhelming which is why it is important for divorcing couples to keep in mind that the family law process provides legal resources to help guide them through the process of dividing their property. In some circumstances, divorcing couples are dividing a lifetime of property they have acquired together so understanding basic property division principles can help guide them through the property division process. It is always helpful for divorcing...

Divorce has a way of shaking up your financial circumstances. You will have to share your debt, as well as your assets, with your ex. Many people find that they have to adjust their expectation regarding their standard of living. In fact, it can be a downright struggle for you to make ends meet in the days immediately following the end of your marriage. If you have primary custody of the children from your marriage,...

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...