Addressing Frequently Asked Legal Questions And Concerns

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  • Can I receive more support now that I am not working full-time?

    Child custody, visitation, and support are always modifiable by a court.  In order to change something that has been entered in an order, you must first show a material change in circumstances from the time the order had been entered, and then, if you meet that hurdle, the court will determine what is in the best interests of the child for custody and visitation, and run presumptive guidelines as to support.  Many things can constitute a material change - every case is unique, which is why we recommend hiring counsel before seeking a change in court.

    Job loss and child support

  • Can I have child support modified based on my ex-spouse’s new spouse’s income?

    By Code, child support is based solely on the two parents’ incomes.  The increase in household income due to marriage, by itself, cannot be grounds for child support modification. However, if your ex-spouse quits his or her job thereby becoming voluntarily unemployed and not able to provide their share of the child’s support, a modification may be warranted.  If the court is going to deviate from the presumptive child support formula (which it can do if it finds that the application of such guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case), then it might be able to take such other income into account under the catch-all factor of the Code for such deviations.

    Child support modification



    Insurance Questions and Auto Accidents

  • I was in an accident and am now being offered money to pay my medical bills, should I take it?

    That depends on what you are actually being offered. Will the offer cover all your incurred and projected medical expenses, lost wages, travel expenses?  What about your pain and suffering from the accident? Determining what a fair settlement is can be a complex process. Before you accept an offer, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you build a strong and persuasive case using their experience to skillfully negotiate with the insurance company to receive the full compensation your case deserves.

    Insurance Money

  • I’ve heard Foreign Divorces are much cheaper and easier. Why wouldn't someone in the military take advantage of this option?

    Why not foreign divorce?

    You can get divorces quickly in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, among other places. Getting a divorce where you or your spouse have not established domicile will cost you much more when you have to hire a lawyer to make your divorce legal. Per the U.S. Supreme Court, only a divorce granted in the state which one or both individuals have established legal residence has the jurisdiction to issue such a decree.  You wouldn't want to be in the position of committing bigamy after getting re-married because your first marriage wasn't properly ended. I can assist you with a legal Virginia divorce decree while protecting your military benefits.

  • The driver that hit me received a DUI, can I sue the bar that he was at prior to driving into me?

    Sobriety Test

    Not in Virginia.  In order to hold a person or a business who serves alcohol responsible for the actions of an intoxicated person, you would have to be in a State that followed Dram Shop Liability laws. Virginia is one of only a few states that do not follow such laws.  (Dram refers to the old term by which alcohol was measured).  While states like Virginia feel the individual should be responsible for their own actions, there are many organizations like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) that argue these laws reduce alcohol-related crashes and serve a similar purpose of responsibility to the establishment that did not reasonably cut them off when obviously drunk or call them a cab.

  • My Spouse is in the military and deployed; will this delay our divorce proceedings?

    Divorce and deployment

    The Servicemember's Civil Relief Act allows suspension of a civil action involving deployed service members until they are home and able to fairly participate.  However, servicemembers can waive their right to delay proceedings, thereby allowing the finalization of your divorce while they are deployed.

  • Is there a direct relationship between the severity of the car accident and the seriousness of the injury?

    Neck Injury

    No. Minor car accidents often result in little or no injury, while major accidents usually cause major injuries, but the reverse can also be true. There are many stories of people walking away from horrible crashes and conversely of people suffering a lifetime of pain from what looks like a minor accident. You cannot judge someone's injuries by merely looking at the vehicle damage; however, insurance companies will often try to do just that. Professional documentation of your injuries and health status are important when filing an injury claim. It is important that you be seen by a medical professional to determine the degree of injury you may have suffered.

  • How long do I have to pay child support?


    Child support

  • Does being (or having a spouse) in the Military make a difference in my Divorce?

    For military families, it is vital that you have an experienced Virginia domestic relations attorney in your corner. Few lawyers understand the unique issues that military families face when dealing with a family law matter. We grew up in this area and our office is located in Tidewater. This, coupled with our extensive experience with these matters, is an advantage in military family law cases. 

    Military Divorce