Hampton Roads Divorce Attorneys
Hampton Roads Divorce Attorneys
If you’re facing a divorce, you have some challenges ahead, but understanding the basics when it comes to divorce in Virginia can help. In addition to being an emotional rollercoaster, divorce is a complicated legal matter that can have serious implications for you and your children’s future. This is exactly why consulting with an experienced Hampton Roads divorce attorney should be one of the first steps you take.Â
Living Separately
To obtain an uncontested divorce in the State of Virginia, one of the following must apply before you can file:
- You and your spouse have no children who are under the age of 18, and you have lived separately for at least six months and have a comprehensive Property Settlement Agreement
- You and your spouse do share a child who is under the age of 18, and the two of you have lived separately for at least one year and have a comprehensive Property Settlement Agreement
Because hammering out divorce terms that you’re both willing to sign off on can take a considerable amount of time – and because you can begin your negotiations before filing – this separation may not slow the divorce process considerably.Â
Fault or No-Fault?
Most divorces in Virginia are no-fault divorces, which means that neither party is predicating the divorce on the alleged misdoing of the other. Sometimes, however, divorces are based on one spouse’s fault in the matter. The grounds for fault include:
- Adultery (or other sexual acts outside the marriage)
- A felony conviction that leads to a sentence of at least a year (with some actual imprisonment)
- Willful abandonment or desertion
- Cruelty in which the offending spouse caused reasonable fear of bodily harm or bodily hurt
Other than the felony conviction, these charges are very difficult to prove. If you do prove fault, however, it can skew the division of your marital property and alimony in your favor, which means it can significantly affect your financial future.Â
The Elements of Your Divorce
Your divorce will not mirror anyone else’s, but the following elements pertain to every divorce (as applicable):
- Child Custody Arrangements – Child custody is divided into physical custody (whom the children live with) and legal custody (who makes important decisions on behalf of the children), and both can be either joint or sole.Â
- The Division of Marital Property – The marital property (those assets accumulated over the course of the marriage) will be split equitably (fairly, given the circumstances) upon divorce.Â
- Child Support – Both parents share the responsibility of supporting their children financially, and child support is the court’s way of balancing this responsibility between the parents. Child support is calculated according to a state schedule that is based on the spouse’s individual gross incomes.Â
- Alimony – Alimony is called spousal support in Virginia, and while it is awarded less frequently than not, it can play an important role in divorces after long marriages, in situations in which one spouse has substantially fewer financial resources than the other, and in instances in which one spouse can’t work due to a disability or lack of skills and/or education.  Â
Reach Out to a Hampton Roads Divorce Attorney Today
No two divorce cases are ever exactly alike, and that’s why the trusted Hampton Roads divorce attorneys at Mahoney Richmond Thurston, PLLC, are committed to bringing the full force of their considerable experience and skill to your unique case. Your case is important, so please don’t hesitate to contact us today. Â
What Our Clients Are Saying
5 Stars!
I worked with Nicole Thurston, Joy, and Nancy and they were all amazing to work with. They went above and beyond to help me fight in my custody battle and my son is now doing excellent. They cared about the outcome of our case showed how much they cared. He has straight A's, on the Principal's list, and getting college offers and letters from congressmen to congratulate him for his success. We would not have gotten this far it was not for this legal team fighting day and night to give us the best possible outcome. Thank you all for everything you have done for our family. Sincerely, Tamara
Nicole handled my divorce, she was professional and detailed. If I had a question it was usually answered the same day. In court, she was very professional, had all details, and was fully ready to represent me. I could not have asked for a better attorney to represent me!
I am very impressed with Andy's capabilities - he is a talented young lawyer.
Reeves is a fine lawyer, with a great sense of humor.
Mr. Richmond deals with his clients compassionately and with legal precision. You can have confidence that he is looking out for you and trust his judgment and advice. Take his advice seriously. Mr. Richmond does a good job communicating with his clients, keeping them informed along the way.
Andrew Richmond is a great lawyer and extremely smart.
I did my research on divorce and family law attorneys before contacting anyone. A trusted friend had used Nicole and her team's services previously and highly recommended her. Entering the MNR Law offices I met their receptionist. Her smile both lightened the mood and removed some of the stress from the streets. I found the conference room to be well lit, supplies readily available, and the conduct of the staff I encountered to be well above everyday professional courtesy. Nicole was the first attorney I met with and after our initial meeting, discussing options, criteria, contractual obligations, and services that would be contracted for, I confidently chose her to be my legal counsel. The contracts were explained in detail and reviewed prior to initiating our financial transactions, and I feel I received more than what I contracted for. I paid for professional services; what I got included personalized service, the respect, and distinction of being an individual. My concerns were thoroughly vetted and understood from a personal level and translated to what I wanted and needed on a professional legal level. The team prepared the battlefield and for potential contingencies, ready to execute, ready to win. We faced the opposition…
5 stars!
I recommend them completely!
Very pleased with their professionalism and seriousness with my case.
Listen, I did the circuit of family lawyers in Virginia Beach and Andy is, hands down, the most honest, capable, genuine, and reliable lawyer around.
Reeves Mahoney did an outstanding job as my attorney during a recent contested custody battle. Knowledgeable, honest, and direct, I appreciated Reeves’ sage counsel during an incredibly difficult and anxious time. Reeves and his team provided excellent guidance and successfully navigated me through the heretofore unfamiliar minefield of family law. Reeves is one of the finest, if not the finest family law attorneys in Hampton Roads and enjoys a stellar reputation in the family law system.
Nicole was amazing to work with for my son's adoption finalization. She was extremely personable, always responded quickly to any questions, calls, or emails, and extremely nice! She made the final stages of our adoption journey amazing!
I am very thankful for all of your services. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this without you all. Your help was priceless.
I will never regret seeking (Reeves Mahoney’s) counsel … You’ve given me a lot of great advice and insight and that I’ll never regret any penny that I paid to gain that. … I just wanted to let you know that you provided a great service to me today and I will be eternally grateful.
Nicole knew exactly how to handle to my situation, doing so rapidly; conformed to my wishes, no drama. Amazing advocate: excellent skills explaining complex legalese in everyday terms. Great sense of humor: explains difficult topics; diffuses stressful situations. Guide & confidant. Earned my trust & maintained it throughout. Quality of service was outstanding! Value is phenomenal Follows up on questions & requirements, often same day, with quality details in clear & concise communications
Andy and his paralegal, Nancy, are wonderful. I had an entire custody reversal made, which I have come to understand is a rarity. Andy is clearly knowledgeable about family law and well respected by the court.
Andrew T. Richmond 
Reeves W. Mahoney
Nicole M. Thurston
Jessica N. TrotmanVirginia Beach Location
Phone
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing certain contact information herein, you are expressly authorizing the recipient of this message to contact you via the methods of communication provided.
NUVEW Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | Disclaimer | Accessibility Notice
