You may find and download your own version of this handbook at: http://www.circuit7.net/fcs/Child-Friendly-Exchange-Handbook.pdf
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Can the Court Cure What Ails Your Family?
Courts serve essential functions in our society, but “curing” family problems is not one of them. While a judge can make decisions about custody and visitation, they cannot make parents and children able to truly communicate nor can they eliminate the underlying tension and mistrust that exists. The dysfunctional family will remain dysfunctional despite theContinue reading “Can the Court Cure What Ails Your Family?”
THE DIVORCE EXPERIENCE
Divorce is a: Legal Mental Physical Financial Emotional EXPERIENCE! When the stressful life events are rated, studies find that the following provide the greatest negative personal impact: Death of a spouse or child. Divorce (a close second). Marital separation. Detention in jail or prison. Death of a close family member. A major injury or illness.Continue reading “THE DIVORCE EXPERIENCE”
Google It
In the Age of the Internet, the first thing to do when you have a question usually is to “Google it.” Google will provide you with pages of information. Some of it may be true. Some of it may be false. Some of it may be true in California, but is not true in Virginia.Continue reading “Google It”
The Family Courts of Virginia
Virginia has a unique court system. There are Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts and Circuit Courts in each jurisdiction. Both courts have the authority to make orders relating to child custody, child visitation, child support, and spousal support (alimony). The Circuit Court has the additional power to award divorces and in conjunction with that, to divide propertyContinue reading “The Family Courts of Virginia”
Benefits of Using an Attorney Mediator
While a mediator does not have to be a lawyer, there are benefits to using one who is. Attorney/mediators do not represent either party. They cannot provide legal advice. It is entirely appropriate, however, for them to provide legal information. Legal information could include how child support is calculated using the Virginia Guidelines or whatContinue reading “Benefits of Using an Attorney Mediator”
Who, What, When, Where & How of Uncontested Divorces
Uncontested divorces are those cases in which no issues are in dispute. Usually, the couple will have signed a Property Settlement Agreement (which will be discussed in another post). The parties must have lived “separate and apart, without interruption and without cohabitation” for at least twelve months if there is no written Property Settlement AgreementContinue reading “Who, What, When, Where & How of Uncontested Divorces”
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How to Prepare for Court
At Commander Law, we try our best to do everything possible to settle our cases outside of a courtroom. Of course, this isn’t always possible and many clients will find themselves unsure of what to expect or how to adequately prepare for their time in front of a judge. Each situation is different and yourContinue reading “How to Prepare for Court”
What about the dog?
This is an issue that comes up on occasion when negotiating the terms of a Separation Agreement. It may seem silly to people who don’t own a dog, but dog owners often are extremely emotionally attached to their pups and often feel similarly to them as they do about their children. Virginia treats pets asContinue reading “What about the dog?”