Divorce & Child Custody Processes in Virginia

Step 1: Strategy Session

The first step in a divorce or child custody case is to meet with your lawyer before filing any legal documents. The initial meeting acts as a strategy session in which you and your attorney will discuss the details of your situation. You’ll provide information on what you hope to achieve so your attorney can understand your goals and adequately represent your best interests. Together, you’ll create a path towards the future you’re seeking.

Step 2: Commencing the Case

The case can be filed as soon as your lawyer knows your goals and the most important aspects of your situation. Commencing a divorce case involves filing a petition to dissolve the marriage. Both parties will describe their assets, incomes, and relationship with children and inform the court what you are asking them to do, such as award parenting time or divide the estate equally. The party will receive a copy of the petition, and after they are served, they will be asked to file an appearance and answer the divorce petition.

Step 3: Preliminary Financial Disclosure

Once the other party has responded to the divorce petition, both sides must share basic financial details, including income, pay stubs, tax returns, debt, and assets. The judge and attorneys will review these financial documents, which may be used in settlements, to see if there are disagreements about the value of assets and to determine if subpoenas should be filed against certain financial institutions.

Step 4: Temporary Hearings

Since taking a case to trial can be a long, expensive process, one party may require financial support from the spouse or a schedule to determine when each party will care for the children. When this occurs, the judge might order child support or alimony as temporary financial support or create a temporary parenting schedule. Your attorney can file a petition with the court to ask for such an order if necessary.

Step 5: Mediation or Early Neutral Evaluation

If the parties fail to agree on parenting time and division of parenting responsibilities, the court will most likely require both to speak to a mediator to pursue an agreement. Your attorney will discuss the agreement and draft a final judgment to the court if the mediation is successful. If an agreement isn’t reached, the court may elect a Guardian Ad Litem to investigate on behalf of the child’s best interests. The GAL will speak to both parties and their attorneys, find any relevant information, and provide a summary to the judge. While the GAL’s recommendation doesn’t finalize the case, it’s considered when the judge makes a final ruling.

Step 6: Pretrial Hearing

If any unresolved issues remain, a pretrial hearing may need to occur. This meeting is a private hearing between the lawyers and the judge in which each lawyer provides a summary of the facts and arguments. The judge will provide feedback, such as a recommendation, to help each party settle. Neither party is bound to agree to the recommendations; however, the pretrial helps your lawyer prepare for further action.

Step 7: Discovering Information and Preparing for Trial

If neither party settles on an agreement, even after negotiations or suggestions from the judge, they can proceed to a full trial. Typically, a judge will choose a deadline for the attorney to discover facts and information, which may involve preparing witnesses, reviewing documents, issuing subpoenas, and creating arguments. Your attorney will also ensure you are prepared for your testimony.

Step 8: Final Trial

During the final trial, each lawyer presents their case by summoning witnesses, who will answer questions under oath. They may have the judge review certain documents, as well as make legal arguments. This process may take days to weeks, depending on how complex the relevant issues are. The judge then considers all information presented and makes a final ruling.

Step 9: Implementation

Usually, both parties and their attorneys must confirm that the final judgment is being implemented. Some possibilities include selling marital assets, arranging a parenting schedule, or redistributing parental duties. Then, the attorneys may file Qualified Domestic Relations Orders or issue a post-decree document for spousal support. If one party is non-compliant, your lawyer will likely need to file a motion to hold them in contempt.

Step 10: Checkout Session

Once the judge has issued a final ruling, your lawyer will explain what the judgment means for you and answer any questions you might have. Additionally, you’ll need to learn what action you should take to implement the final ruling. In some cases, a party may choose to file a Motion to Reconsider.