Effectively Putting the Kids First in a Divorce
In Episode 22 of the Family Matters podcast, Kate Reese said, "Even though I work for the parents, I am always mindful of the children in my case: how old are they, what do they need, how are things going at home for them." Throughout this informative and insightful episode, Kate and her guest, mental health counselor, Phyllis Palombi, shared their professional experience and insights into the parties least likely to be represented in a divorce - the children. And yet, these are the ones most likely to suffer repeated traumas, long-term because of the divorce. Together, Kate and Phyllis offered some important considerations for divorced parents.
Topics: Child Custody, Divorce Law, ParentingIt's Graduation. What Happens to Custody and Support?
High school graduation is a significant rite of passage for young people, but it also signals a transition for parents, especially when they are not together. As the graduate prepares to enter the next phase of their life, parents should be aware of the many ways that adulthood can impact their rights and obligations concerning their children
Topics: Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law, ParentingWhen and how do I talk to my spouse about the Collaborative Process?
Once the thought of separation and divorce enters your mind, your second thought should be about process. It is never too soon for you and your spouse to seek information about options. When you understand your options, you are in a better position to make informed decisions about how to move forward.
Topics: Choosing a Lawyer, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce LawHow Step Parents Can Obtain Further Parental Rights
Every family is different, and often the parent of a child marries another adult who wants to play a part in the life of the child. Where both biological parents continue to be interested in maintaining their parental rights, there are limits to a step-parent's legal right to assume a parental role for the child. However, in many instances, there are opportunities for an adult to have their relationship with a step-child recognized by the court.
Topics: Child Custody, Divorce LawA Uniform Collaborative Law Act is in Effect in Virginia
In 2021, the Virginia legislature took a major step in acknowledging and encouraging the Collaborative Law Process in Virginia by passing the Uniform Collaborative Law Act (UCLA). More general than collaborative divorce, this new law is a significant development in alternative dispute resolution of family law matters in Virginia. The new law clarifies certain critical issues, providing guidance to attorneys as well as Virginia judges with respect to Collaborative Law. Contact Reese Law today to speak with a collaborative divorce attorney in Northern VA.
Topics: Choosing a Lawyer, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce LawNew Year Financial Planning
New Year Financial planning requires teamwork on so many levels, and finances take a lot of communication, trust and planning. One of the leading causes of divorce is a disconnect between couples on money issues. Whether you are in a strained place in your relationship or taking steps to make sure you don't get there, it's important to take a thorough look at your finances to make sure things are in order. In our most recent podcast, Getting Your Finances Together for the New Year and Beyond, Kate Reese, a divorce attorney serving Northern VA, had the chance to talk to Jamie Blum, a divorce financial consultant and litigation support manager with Councilor, Buchanan and Mitchell, a CPA firm. Kate and Jamie identified some key areas of financial organization and thought.
Topics: Divorce Law, Property DistributionThings to Consider with a Military Divorce
While family law is a state or commonwealth issue, when one or both of a married couple are active or retired US Military servicemembers, there are additional complexities that must be addressed in the divorce process.
Topics: Choosing a Lawyer, Divorce LawLaying the Groundwork for Divorce in Virginia
Are you considering getting a divorce in Virginia? The process is governed by Virginia law, particularly Title 20 of the Virginia Code. There are many requirements and details that can trip you up, which is why we always recommend consulting with a family law attorney to get clarity on your status and options.
Topics: Choosing a Lawyer, Divorce Law5 Questions About Divorce & Estate Planning | Divorce Lawyer
Kate Reese and Andrea Weiss Bryk discuss estate planning and some of the reasons that a divorce in Virginia is a life change that should prompt preparation or review of your estate plan.
Topics: Choosing a Lawyer, Divorce Law, Property DistributionWhen Getting a Divorce, Don't Forget Your Taxes
When a major change occurs in the family, the IRS will take an interest. Getting a divorce has tax consequences that frequently come up as an issue. While there are many ways that taxes are impacted by a divorce, here are some of the most significant to keep in mind.
Topics: Divorce Law, Property DistributionSeparation in Virginia When Living Together
In order to get a divorce in Virginia, spouses must first separate for six months to one year depending on circumstances. But living in separate homes can present a real challenge to some spouses.
Topics: Divorce Law8 Steps to Using the Collaborative Process
As an alternative to litigation, the Collaborative Process offers the parties an opportunity to work together to reach an amicable resolution of the family law issue before them, whether it is divorce, a Premarital Agreement, post-divorce issues, or anything between.
Topics: Choosing a Lawyer, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce LawSocial Security and Divorce
With every paycheck, a person pays into social security and they accrue the right to benefits upon retirement. For many, this is a critical resource to make ends meet later in life. When a married person reaches retirement age, social security will pay the higher of the individual’s own retirement benefit or up to one half of their spouse’s benefit. But what happens if the couple divorces?
Topics: Divorce Law, Property DistributionGetting an Uncontested Divorce in Virginia
In Virginia, married couples can obtain an "uncontested divorce" if they meet all of the prerequisites and follow the correct procedures. As a streamlined process that minimizes the time and expense of a divorce, an uncontested divorce is highly appealing.
Topics: Choosing a Lawyer, Divorce Law, Property DistributionYou've Been Served with Custody Papers in Virginia: Now What?
Getting served with legal papers is a frightening experience. A stranger, sometimes even a sheriff, hands you an envelope that contains multiple pages of legalese. Many people go their whole lives without being involved in a legal action, so it is a new, unpleasant experience to know that you are going to have to deal with the legal system.
Topics: Child Custody, Child Support, Choosing a Lawyer, Divorce Law, ParentingThe Anatomy of a Prenuptial Agreement
A prenuptial agreement, or a "prenup", is a written agreement entered into by two people planning to marry in the near future. When the subject of a prenuptial agreement comes up, many people think it is something celebrities and billionaires use to handle a second spouse.
Topics: Divorce Law, PrenuptialsLet's Get Real About Prenups: I Hate Talking About Money!
As Family Law attorneys, we are frequently asked about prenuptial agreements, commonly referred to as "prenups."
Topics: Divorce Law, PrenuptialsTalking to Your Spouse about the Collaborative Divorce Process
Well, you have taken the first big step toward conflict resolution, you have come to Reese Law for a consultation. As part of the consultation, we have discussed process-the different ways in which your conflict can be resolved.
Topics: Collaborative Divorce, Divorce LawMarriage Story
If you are a fan of Netflix, or if you watched the Oscars this year, you are familiar with Marriage Story. I stumbled across this movie shortly after it came out and decided to watch it, not knowing anything about the movie or what to expect.
Topics: Divorce Law, Mental HealthGetting to the Finish Line in An Uncontested Divorce
These days, more and more divorcing couples are opting to pursue alternatives to litigation like mediation and collaborative divorce. When these processes are over and an agreement has been reached, there are still some important formalities to complete in order to be legally divorced in Virginia.
Topics: Divorce LawChoosing the Right Professionals for A Family Law Matter
Family law matters can be some of the most intimate, stressful, difficult legal procedures that a person goes through in their lifetime. Picking the right professionals to assist with the process is critical to assuring an acceptable outcome. We recently outlined the types of professionals that are used in family law matters. Here are a few tips about what to look for in a professional.
Topics: Child Custody, Child Support, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce LawUsing Experts In Family Law Practice
In Family Law, we often need to use experts to help with the process. An expert is someone with specific and in-depth knowledge of a particular subject matter who gets brought into the process to advise on the matter in which they are experts. They are used because there may be complex assets or implications on decisions that are not obvious to the layperson.
Topics: Collaborative Divorce, Divorce LawWrapping Up Loose Ends After a Divorce
What comes next? Whether by trial or alternative dispute resolution, there comes a point when the final papers have been filed and the Judge has signed the Final Order of Divorce. Before breathing a sigh of relief that it’s over, the signing of the Final Order of Divorce may legally end the marriage, but it is not the last step. There are further steps that parties must take in order to wrap up the variety of loose ends.
Topics: Divorce Law, Property DistributionSome Questions About Invisible Divorce
Is your marriage suffering from an invisible divorce? Couples can reach a point in their relationship where they have grown so far apart that, without being acknowledged, the marriage has failed. Rather than take proactive steps to resolve this in-between state, couples can go for years, trapped in a situation that no longer fulfills the basic expectations of a marriage.
Topics: Divorce Law, Mental Health6 Reasons to Consider Mediating a Family Law Dispute
Mediation differs from litigation before a judge because the parties get to decide the outcome. A mediation is simply a negotiation between the disputing parties assisted by a trained, neutral go-between called a mediator. If you don't agree to settle, the dispute is not over, and the mediator can't decide otherwise. The mediator does not make decisions or provide legal advice. Instead, a mediator helps guide the parties to a mutually agreeable solution. In terms of self-determination, no one knows one's own family better than the family members themselves, so they have a better understanding of what works and what doesn't. For parties with a family law dispute, a number of ways make mediation a preferable approach to the problem.
Topics: Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law, Mediation, Property Distribution5 Reasons to Work With an Attorney in Your Divorce
While it may seem obvious that you should hire a family law attorney in a divorce, some people think that the cost of the fees are too high. So, instead, they try to do it themselves. In truth, working with a good family law attorney will help make the divorce process go much more smoothly.
Topics: Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law, Property DistributionThe Benefits of Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative Divorce is an option for couples who wish to terminate their marriage without going to court. The process of coming to an agreement about all of the many issues decided in a divorce is accomplished with the assistance of attorneys, financial neutrals, mental health coaches, and/or other experts depending on the necessities of the parties.
Topics: Collaborative Divorce, Divorce LawPrenups and Postnups
Agreements between two people that relate to their marital relationship – their “nuptials†– are referred to as prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. We hear about them all the time in relation to celebrities and the very wealthy, and it doesn’t seem to have much to do with the average person. However, there are definitely good reasons to consider entering into one of them.
Topics: Divorce Law, Prenuptials5 Ways to Prepare to Meet with Your Family Law Attorney
Consulting with a family law attorney involves providing a great deal of personal information to a professional. It can seem to be an intimidating and scary process, which makes the reason for your consultation (like a possible separation or divorce) all the more difficult. You may think that certain issues are important – and they are – but they may not be the most important consideration from a legal stand point.
Topics: Child Custody, Child Support, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce Law, MediationKeep Up With the Latest Developments in Virginia Family Law
Every year, on July 1, laws that have been enacted by the Commonwealth go into effect. This year there are some changes of interest relating to Family Law.
Topics: Divorce LawWhat You Should Know When Your Client Needs a Business Valuation
Does your client need a conclusion of value or a calculated value? Helpful article by David Leipnik, CPA, CVA
Topics: Choosing a Lawyer, Divorce Law, Family LawHow Business-Owning Spouses Manipulate Income
What to Do If You Suspect Deception What Should an Attorney Do? 3 Actions If You Suspect Income Manipulation Discovery Leads to Justice
Topics: Divorce Law, Property Distribution13 Things You Must Know if You Are Divorcing a Narcissist
Most people, understandably, will do almost anything to avoid going to court for any number of reasons, including the financial cost, the loss of privacy, the inevitable calcification of antagonism between you and someone you married, the pain it causes children and other family members, and the fear of putting your life in the hands of a complete stranger, sitting on a bench at the front of a courtroom. (Not to mention all those movies "Kramer vs. Kramer, The War of the Roses, The Squid and the Whale" that act as cautionary tales, the horror stories bounced around the Internet, and those of people you know.)
Topics: Divorce Law, Mental HealthHow Will We Protect the Children?
Whether they are children of intact, separating, divorcing, or unmarried families, children require the financial support of their parents. In fact, parents are obligated to provide support for their children. That is simple enough, but when parents are separating, divorcing, or unmarried, determining how much support must be paid, to whom the support is to be paid, the expenses to which the support is applied, and what to do if support is not paid, becomes very difficult.
Topics: Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law, ParentingThe Older, Wiser, Divorce
There may be many reasons for the trend toward the increase of divorces after age fifty-- "late life" or "grey Divorces" as they are sometimes called. It may be that we are living longer and we are more mindful about quality of life, or perhaps it is that men and woman are more similarly situated these days with regard to finances and retirement planning, and it may not be necessary to stay together for financial survival.
Topics: Divorce Law, Grey DivorceTips for Dealing with Divorce Stress
Divorce is an extremely stressful time, especially when there are children involved. The best thing you can do is to take extra special care of yourself. This will of course not only benefit you but also your kids. They will feel a lot more relaxed if they see that you are relaxed and in good spirits. Here are a couple of things you can do to help minimize your stress and help you cope.
Topics: Divorce Law, Mental Health
