Library: Divorce

Divorce is never easy or free of complications, but certain situations can make one divorce messier than another. If you have been married for more than a decade, it’s likely that you have several complications that will need to be handled by a skilled lawyer in order to protect your interests in a divorce. These complicating factors do not mean that you can’t get a fair divorce, but they do mean that you will have...

Parents of children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other cognitive and physical impairments know better than anyone about the challenges of caring for a child with special needs. When a marriage ends, concerns about how that care will continue and who will be responsible for which aspects of the child’s life are often the most challenging issues to resolve. If you are getting divorced in Virginia and have a child with special needs,...

You have been blamed, manipulated, and bullied, and you’ve decided it’s finally time to break free from the narcissist in your life. However, that may seem easier said than done due to the volatile pushback you know you’ll receive when you file for divorce. Is there a way you can start a new life without causing further emotional trauma to yourself or your children? If you are married to a true narcissist, this might prove...

Dividing retirement assets in a divorce can be a complex and sometimes emotional process. This is especially true when dividing military pensions and other pension accounts. There are very specific requirements about when a former spouse can access pension funds and the percentage that he or she is entitled to receive. It is important that you hire a pension division lawyer who understands these processes and who can protect your interests. At MacDowell Law Group, P.C.,...

For all but the most affluent Virginia families, divorce means financial strain. After all, you are dividing a single household into two households, each with separate expenses but without any corresponding increase in income. However, a solid understanding of the tax consequences of your divorce settlement can relieve some of this financial strain and even improve your bargaining position. At MacDowell Law Group, P.C., our divorce attorneys can ensure that all tax aspects are identified and...

Divorce isn't easy on anyone. This heartbreaking decision affects not only you and your spouse but your children too. If you have been a stay-at-home parent to your children, it can be challenging to know what is on the horizon financially but, fortunately, there are steps you can take to be best prepared for the future ahead. Common Concerns for Divorcing Parents When a divorce involves children, parents naturally worry most about how the kids...

Whenever divorcing spouses operate a family business that accounts for a significant portion of their income, the valuation and division of business assets will present important issues throughout the case. Any mistakes in the valuation and characterization of these assets could cost you part of your fair share of the marital estate. In Fairfax, the MacDowell Law Group, P.C., has the legal skill set necessary to protect your property division rights. We will work hard to...

Divorce is seldom an easy process. For those with significant assets in the form of retirement and investment accounts, the process of dividing these resources becomes very complex and often contentious. Putting a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) or division of property order (DOPO) in place may be an option for protecting your financial interests during marital property and asset division. At MacDowell Law Group, P.C., our family law attorneys help with the division of retirement and...

Contemplating a divorce is never an easy task, but when the spouse is an alcoholic, circumstances become even more complicated. Due to Virginia’s no-fault divorce laws, there’s no requirement to prove the other person’s alcoholism in order to file. But if alcohol misuse negatively impacted your marriage, and you have evidence for it, this information may influence a judge’s decision regarding aspects such as finances, child custody, and no-contact orders. Here are four key factors...

A divorce does not have to be unnecessarily drawn out and expensive. Virginia’s uncontested divorce procedures can help avoid the delays and expenses that can be generated when disputes are resolved in the courtroom. At MacDowell Law Group, P.C., our divorce attorneys will thoroughly review your situation to let you know whether this may be the right option for your divorce. If you are thinking of getting divorced but are concerned about the time and the...