Many challenges are inherently inspired by divorce, but things can become even more complex when your ex is a narcissist. A person who is affected by narcissism lives in a fantasy land that revolves around them. Their tendency to try to twist situations can make it...
Virginia Family Law Blog
Parental gatekeeping: What is it and how does it affect children?
We’ve talked here before about parental alienation. While that term is controversial among some mental health professionals, it’s nonetheless commonly used to describe what happens when one parent intentionally tries to turn their child against the other parent....
When business owners get divorced, do they have to sell?
In many cases when people get divorced, they have to divide the assets that they own. If some of these assets are not financial in nature, they may have to be sold. This allows the couple to split up the money that they earn. A family business is one example of this...
Divorce mediation with an uncooperative spouse
Couples who want an efficient and fair divorce often seek mediation. Mediation is a collaborative process that seeks to reduce conflicts and costs by introducing a neutral, third party. The mediator is meant to keep couples focused on important divorce matters, such...
How mediation can help to protect your mental health during divorce
Divorce can negatively impact people in a variety of ways. It can have a damaging impact on finances since both spouses need to split their resources up and the cost of divorce can be surprisingly expensive. The more time people spend in court, the more they are going...
Why do parents alter child custody schedules?
A child custody schedule is especially important for children and parents who have recently gone through a divorce. Parents who develop a child custody schedule can have clear outlines of what responsibilities, rights and obligations each parent is expected to...
Tips for effective co-parenting communication
Co-parenting is a challenging journey that many parents embark upon after a separation or divorce. While emotions can run high, it's crucial for the child's well-being that parents communicate effectively. Both parties must strive to set aside personal differences,...
Who keeps the pets in a Virginia divorce? Is there visitation?
Many people feel their pets are family. We can’t imagine a life without them. Whether it’s a dog, cat or parrot, you may have a long history with the pet. Your children may have grown up with the pet. So what happens to pets in a divorce? It depends on where you live....
Is parental alienation a legitimate shared custody concern?
People generally anticipate that sharing custody after the end of a relationship will be a challenge. They know that a strained relationship with the other parent of their children will inevitably influence how they handle parenting together. Yet, most adults will...
What does it mean to commingle separate and marital property?
Separate property is everything you acquired before you married your spouse, but it also includes assets you received during the marriage by inheritance, survivorship or gift. Marital property is everything you and your spouse earned and acquired during the marriage....