A Focus On The Best Outcome For You
Skillful Divorce Representation From Alexandria Lawyer
Divorce can be a financially and emotionally costly procedure. It is a lawsuit with many of the complexities of any other lawsuit. The process can be dramatically more difficult to deal with if there are children involved.
At Lowe Carlo & Maupin, our firm recognizes the stress that a divorce can cause. Our aim is to fully protect your legal interests and help you get through a difficult period in your life.
Grounds For Divorce In Virginia
You must state a valid reason, or ground, for your divorce. In Virginia, the following are valid grounds for the court to grant your divorce:
- Adultery — If your spouse committed adultery, you can file the divorce action at any time.
- Felony conviction — When the conviction resulted in at least one year of imprisonment.
- Cruelty and desertion — Abuse that causes bodily harm and makes living together unsafe or physical desertion.
- Voluntary separation — You must be separated from your spouse without interruption or cohabitation for one year and without any hope for reconciliation. The separation period is reduced to six months if there are no children and the parties are able to reach a property settlement agreement.
Property Division
Virginia law regarding the division of property is complicated and takes some novel approaches to the issues. It takes into account the monetary and non-monetary contributions of each party during the marriage, as well as a variety of other factors.
Property includes your car, furniture, bank accounts, retirement funds and any ownership interest in a business. It also includes anything you partially own and your debts. Generally, assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered marital. However, Virginia law recognizes that certain property, in whole or in part, may be separate property.
Our firm will attempt to negotiate as many issues as possible in order to reduce costly litigation, but is fully prepared to aggressively litigate your case if necessary. To speak with an attorney in our office about property division and divorce, contact us. Our firm is located in Old Town Alexandria.