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Divorce Lawyers Norfolk

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Divorce Lawyers Norfolk

Out of all the various cases that the courts oversee, divorces are among those that are the most contested and complex. After all, they deal with elements that impact people’s lives the most, such as the giving and receiving of money or property and the living arrangements for the children. No divorce is easy, but it can be easier to endure and more successful if you have the help of an experienced Norfolk divorce attorney on your side. Your attorney can help you every step of the way while keeping your best interests at the forefront of your case.

Grounds for Divorce in Virginia

In the state of Virginia, you have the option to file a no-fault or a fault divorce. It is best to meet with a knowledgeable Norfolk divorce attorney before deciding which one to file. To be eligible to file a no-fault divorce, you and your spouse must not live together for one continuous year. If you reconcile for any period of time, the year will need to begin again. The only exception to this law is that if you do not have any children, biological or adopted, together, and have entered into a comprehensive separate agreement the required time is only six months. 

Filing a Fault Divorce

A fault divorce must be based on a specific reason, also known as legal grounds. The reasons are limited and include:

  • Adultery: If one spouse had intimate relations with another party, the other spouse has a reason to file for divorce. The innocent spouse must be careful to not foregive and resume marital relations with the offending spouse after learning of the adultery. Adultery has a five-year statute of limitation.
  • Felony: If one spouse commits a felony and is sentenced to at least one year of imprisonment, the other spouse has grounds to file for a fault divorce. 
  • Cruelty: In situations where one spouse has caused the other bodily harm or is abusive, the other spouse has one year to file for divorce on the grounds of cruelty.
  • Abandonment: One spouse leaving the other spouse is also grounds for filing a divorce. This is referred to as abandonment.

It is important to note that if you choose to file a fault divorce, you will need evidence to prove that there are grounds for such a filing. Your Norfolk divorce lawyer can assist you in collecting and using evidence to prove this.

Seek the Advice of a Knowledgeable Norfolk Divorce Lawyer

When you are facing a divorce, it is imperative that you have a Norfolk divorce lawyer on your side who will do whatever is legally necessary to protect your best interests. The attorneys at Mahoney Richmond Thurston, PLLC, possess decades of experience helping Virginia residents work towards their desired outcome in a divorce. Our attorneys can explore all of your legal options to create a strategy that will provide the best resolution for you and your family going forward. Do not try to handle your divorce on your own. Contact us today to receive your divorce case review.Â