Alimony And Child Support In Virginia
Will I be able to support my child and myself financially? Will I be required to make spousal or child support payments? Answering these questions is important for any divorcing spouse or unwed parent, which is why it is crucial to have a law firm that understands financial matters.
At Bristle Law, we take your financial concerns very seriously. Our family law attorney, Anna Bristle, worked for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) in the Child Support Services (CSS) division, and our bankruptcy lawyer, Bristle Law, has more than a decade of experience untangling complicated debt issues. Regardless of your financial situation, we can protect your interests.
Contact our family law office in Manassas at 703-278-2027 to schedule an initial consultation.
Spousal Support Is Based On Need
In Virginia, alimony is based on need and is referred to as spousal support. You can either include a term for support in a settlement agreement or request that the court make a determination. A court can issue a temporary or permanent support order. It can also take effect prior to the finalization of your divorce.
A judge will consider several factors in determining whether to award spousal support, which type and in what amount, including:
- Length of the marriage
- Standard of living during the marriage
- Monetary and nonmonetary contributions to the marriage or a spouse’s education and career
- Age, mental condition and financial resources of each spouse
- Current and future earning capacity of each spouse
- Property and debt allocations
- Adultery, which could bar an award
- Any other factors the court deems relevant to a fair determination
Simple Equations. Complicated Determinations.
The Virginia Child Support Guidelines outline a specific formula used to determine monthly obligations. It is not the calculation that complicates these matters. Making sure that the right numbers are entered into the equation can be very tricky, especially in cases involving self-employment, travel expenses, special medical needs or other extraordinary costs.
We know exactly what evidence to gather, which questions to ask and what steps we need to take to make sure that the court uses the right numbers in your case.
We Have You Covered.
Making the decision to hire a lawyer can be a difficult one. Often times, an individual may not know whether they need a lawyer until they talk to one. Understanding this fact, our firm offers low cost initial consultations for family law matters.
Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to meet you on nights and weekends by appointment. Call us at 703-278-2027 or email us, and we will contact you.