Mark B. Arthur: Attorney at Law

Divorce in Virginia is governed by the Virginia Code. Frequently, parties with have to distribute property acquired during the marriage; decide who will have custody of children and come to terms on such issues as spousal and child support. Grounds for divorce include adultery, cruelty, desertion and separation for one year. There are legal definitions for each of these grounds for divorce that must be followed or a divorce may be delayed. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding your divorce.

Spousal support is also an issue that courts are asked to decide in divorce cases. This can be argued in both the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court or the Circuit Court. How spousal support is decided is different in both courts and requires preparation before the hearing to ensure the facts are presented correctly.

Equitable distribution of marital property is the division of marital property by the court and it is generally governed by statute. One of the most critical issues when formulating equitable distribution is determining what property is and what property is not martial property. You must have an experienced attorney to sort out these issues to ensure the courts understand the facts.

Child custody and visitation of the children can be the most challenging issue in family law. This can occur outside of a divorce and even if you are single. Evidence of what is “in the best interests of the child” is essential to the decisions of custody and visitation made by the Judge. This evidence must be prepared and presented by an experienced attorney to ensure the best outcome in your case.

Before these issues become a crisis, call us at 434-846-7111