Library: Divorce

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,...

At MacDowell Law Group, P.C., our alimony lawyers advise clients about their right to receive or obligation to pay spousal support. Our sensible approach to these issues can protect your interests while saving you both time and money. Whether you expect to receive or pay spousal support, or if you question whether the support terms of a prenuptial agreement will be honored, we will review your circumstances and advise you accordingly. Factors That Affect Spousal Maintenance...

There is never an excuse for domestic abuse. If abuse is a factor in the decision to end your marriage, you have unique issues to deal with in order to protect yourself and your family. Your first challenge is to ensure the personal safety and security of yourself and your children. At MacDowell Law Group, P.C., our attorneys can explain the process of obtaining and enforcing a protective order. This can help provide the breathing space...

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...

At MacDowell Law Group, P.C., our child support lawyers advise clients about their right to receive or obligation to pay child support. We provide a practical approach to these issues that is designed to protect your interests while saving you time and money. If you have children and are going through a divorce or otherwise need help with support issues, speak with us. Please call 571-748-5647 to consult with a legal professional. Child Support Commitments Are Calculated Under...

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...

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...

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...

Divorce is hard on kids—there’s simply no way around it. When parents split up, not only is it disruptive to the child’s world, but it can also violate their sense of security and safety. Because of this, some parents choose to stay together despite being in an unhappy and dysfunctional relationship. They think they can tough it out until the kids are older or even until they are out of the house and that doing...

In the process of a divorce, there is a lot to decide and think about. One issue you might not consider right away is the division of any marital debt between you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse. In the state of Virginia, the law follows the concept of “equitable distribution,” meaning that just like property or furniture, your debt is divided equally too. While this sounds simple on the surface, it can actually get quite complex...