Blog Category | Family law

All the debt that either spouse or both spouses incur between the date of their marriage and the date of their separation is presumed to be marital debt in the State of Virginia. In the fair division of marital property, this marital debt must be divided equitably between the spouses....

If your child support order was issued in Virginia, the state maintains jurisdiction over your case even if you or your ex moves out of state. If both of you leave the State of Virginia, your Virginia child support orders will remain in effect, but any modifications will need to...

Child support is an important financial matter that is also legally complex. If you have a child support obligation in Virginia and are preparing to remarry, there are several important factors that you should take into consideration. Our experienced Virginia child support attorneys at Bristle Schulze are standing by to...

When legally valid, prenuptial agreements can be powerful contractual tools that determine how divorce terms or inheritance rights will ultimately be resolved. While a prenup can address many important concerns, there are specific terms that are off limits. Knowing the difference between what can and cannot be included in your...

Virginia uses the term premarital agreement for prenups, which are contracts made prior to marriage that guide how certain terms will be resolved in the event of a divorce. If you are considering asking your soon-to-be spouse to sign a prenuptial agreement, allowing them the time they need to appreciate...

If there is a court order that requires you to pay child support, it is legally binding, and there are consequences for not living up to this responsibility. Prime examples include your credit score taking a serious hit, which can affect your financial stability, and the suspension of your driver’s...

Prenups are contractual agreements between two people that are created prior to marriage and that go into effect upon marriage. When the prenup aligns with state laws, it is legally binding and will guide the financial terms it addresses in the event of divorce. While a prenuptial agreement can be...

Yes, postnuptial agreements are allowed in the State of Virginia, and when they are legally valid, they are upheld. A postnuptial agreement can be used to update a prenuptial agreement that no longer fits your circumstances or can be created to address circumstances that you didn’t foresee. To ensure that...

Yes. While Virginia law doesn’t grant automatic visitation or custody rights, and courts start with the presumption that parents act in their child’s best interests, it does allow grandparents to petition the court when a child’s well-being is at stake. At Bristle Schulze, our grandparents’ rights attorneys in Manassas, VA,...

Divorce is difficult for many reasons. Separating a married couple’s finances is often one of the most challenging aspects. People who fail to plan for their post-divorce finances often struggle. These tips can help. Beware of one-size-fits-all advice The divorce laws in Virginia are not the same as the divorce...

Charting a course forward for your children after divorce takes tremendous work. If your parenting plan is inadequate, you may find yourself in an even more difficult situation. The parenting plan sets out how you and your ex plan on co-parenting your children. While you may not think it needs...

If you recently ended your marriage and you owe child support, it is important to do everything you can to stay current. Parents who fail to pay support in full can face harsh consequences, such as the loss of their driving privileges, financial penalties and even contempt of court charges....

Getting a divorce might completely change the way you manage your finances. Depending on your situation, you might lose income while simultaneously taking over new financial responsibilities. Contrary to what some may say, rebuilding your finances after a divorce is possible. A combination of strategy, consistent effort and optimism could...

Parents who live separately from one another or have ended a marriage both share a responsibility to provide financial support for their children. Typically, the noncustodial parent will have an obligation to make child support payments. Virginia courts apply guidelines from statutory law about child support to calculate each parent’s...

If you fall behind on child support, there are various repercussions to recognize. Aside from wage garnishment and even the threat of imprisonment, other challenges arise for some parents, such as problems involving their passport. Whether you need to travel for business purposes or you want to visit another country for sightseeing,...

Divorce may seem like the worst thing to happen in your life, and it is perfectly normal to feel that way. However, it can also bring about some really positive things.  Women’s Health explains that many people will experience unexpected results from a divorce that have a good impact on their...

Virginia parents like you want to make the upcoming divorce as easy as possible on your kids. Of course, this starts at the basics: how you first tell them divorce is in the future.  To ensure your child experiences this news in the least harmful way, you can employ knowledge...

As you move through the divorce process, you’ll have constant worries about the impact of your split on your relationship with your children. It’s impossible to know what the future will bring, but there are steps you can take to ease your stress. A parenting agreement makes post-divorce life easier...

There’s no reason that most people will ever hear of a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) unless they are getting a divorce and have a pension plan to split. So it can become an afterthought that needs to be addressed after the divorce has already been finalized. That can add...

For government workers who have gotten divorced, relocation based on a career move is a real issue. These jobs often span the country and even the world. For some employees, that’s part of the allure of the job – traveling the world and having life experiences that would be impossible...