Experienced Legal Counsel Through All Phases Of Divorce

Divorce is not an easy decision. Sometimes, however, both spouses reach the conclusion that the marriage is ending. The legal aspects of divorce enable the two former spouses to move on without legal encumbrances.

Whether you’re just starting to consider the possibility of divorce or you’ve been separated for many years, it’s important to understand your rights and obligations as soon as there is talk of divorce.

At Moreton & Edrington, we understand there is no such thing as a standard divorce. Each family law case is unique. We’re here to understand your concerns and to help you sort out the legal problems when you and your spouse have decided to go your separate ways.

Settlement Agreements And Uncontested Divorce

Some couples who are planning a divorce have no problems with communication. While they have decided to dissolve their marriage, they agree on the distribution of assets or debts, child custody and visitation, and long-term financial obligations.

If you are one of these fortunate couples, we can help you avoid the time and expense of the traditional divorce process by preparing a settlement agreement that reflects your agreement and assist you in filing your finalizing agreement and divorce in court.

Sometimes, partners believe they are on good terms with one another and can carry out an uncontested divorce without much difficulty. However, once they begin discussing their debts and assets – homes, cars, boats, businesses, investments, student loans and bank accounts – they often realize that the unraveling of a marriage can be quite complex.

An uncontested divorce may be out of reach if there are points of disagreement. Consult with a divorce lawyer at Moreton & Edrington to determine whether your divorce will likely be uncontested or contested.

Virginia’s Divorce Laws Tend To Be Traditional

To further complicate a couple’s attempt to move on beyond their marriage, it can be challenging to get a divorce in the Commonwealth of Virginia. While much has changed over the generations since the state’s founding, Virginia’s laws still reflect traditional notions that divorce is against the public interest.

For this reason, Virginia does not allow anyone to file for divorce unless they first establish a lengthy separation and/or present to the court grounds for divorce, such as adultery or abandonment.

About Property Division And More

Once either member of a couple or both file for divorce in Virginia, courts then apply a complicated factors-based test to determine the outcome in matters such as:

• Division of marital property
• Allocation of marital debts
• Child custody and support

When couples have trouble coming to an agreement about how to divide property, a courtroom battle is not the only – and certainly not the best – way to reach a settlement. Many couples with differences of opinion settle their property division and child-related issues through divorce mediation. Attorney Fenlene H. Edrington is a certified mediator. She can mediate or represent clients who go through mediation with other mediators’ help.

Reach Out For A Lawyer’s Guidance

Let’s discuss your pending divorce and how you can get through it with positive expectations for the next chapter of your life.

To schedule a consultation, call 703-297-8535 or send an email message.