Arlington Divorce Lawyer
Divorce is an incredibly difficult and emotionally traumatic process that can consume all of one’s energy for months on end. With so much on the line, it is important to work with a skilled professional who can help you navigate the four key aspects of divorce—division of property, child custody, child support, and alimony—the decisions on which will have a lasting impact for years to come. The Arlington divorce lawyers at the Virginia Family Law Center have assisted countless people as they go through the divorce process, and will be with you every step of the way.
Key Aspects of Divorce
- Division of Marital Property—Virginia is an equitable division state, which means that all marital property is divided fairly, and not necessarily evenly. Many factors are weighed when dividing marital property (property that was acquired during the course of the marriage), including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, and much more.
- Child Custody—The divorce rate in Virginia is 2.9 divorces per 1,000 residents, according to Statista. In many of these divorces, child custody is the central issue of conflict, and for good reason: trauma during a child’s early development (0 to 6 years old) has long term consequences, according to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Trauma, such as parental conflict, constantly moving from one city to the next, or not having contact with a parent for months at a time, can have serious impacts on older children, as well.
- Child Support—Child support is an invaluable financial tool that helps custodial parents pay rent and clothe their children.
- Alimony—Alimony is a form of financial support to the lower-earning spouse, paid by the higher-earning spouse.
Uncontested Divorce
Most divorces never reach the courtroom. Only a few percent are trial divorces. The rest are said to be “uncontested,” which means that the couple is able to reach agreements regarding the division of marital assets, alimony, and child matters without going to court. However, this is not to say that most divorces do not have their moments of extreme difficulty. Even uncontested divorces may require months of negotiating between parties.
