Library: Divorce

You have been blamed, manipulated, and bullied, and you’ve decided it’s finally time to break free from the narcissist in your life. However, that may seem easier said than done due to the volatile pushback you know you’ll receive when you file for divorce. Is there a way you can start a new life without causing further emotional trauma to yourself or your children? If you are married to a true narcissist, this might prove...

Divorce isn't easy on anyone. This heartbreaking decision affects not only you and your spouse but your children too. If you have been a stay-at-home parent to your children, it can be challenging to know what is on the horizon financially but, fortunately, there are steps you can take to be best prepared for the future ahead. Common Concerns for Divorcing Parents When a divorce involves children, parents naturally worry most about how the kids...

Divorce is hard on kids—there’s simply no way around it. When parents split up, not only is it disruptive to the child’s world, but it can also violate their sense of security and safety. Because of this, some parents choose to stay together despite being in an unhappy and dysfunctional relationship. They think they can tough it out until the kids are older or even until they are out of the house and that doing...

OK, so you don’t have a Warhol. But you do have a collection of original art and antiques that are worth a considerable amount of money. Given that the worth of these pieces often depends on the current market and the uncertainty of an auction, how can you equitably divide the value of your collection in a divorce? And what if one of you wants to keep a piece? It is a complicated process that...

Contemplating a divorce is never an easy task, but when the spouse is an alcoholic, circumstances become even more complicated. Due to Virginia’s no-fault divorce laws, there’s no requirement to prove the other person’s alcoholism in order to file. But if alcohol misuse negatively impacted your marriage, and you have evidence for it, this information may influence a judge’s decision regarding aspects such as finances, child custody, and no-contact orders. Here are four key factors...

Divorce is seldom an easy process. For those with significant assets in the form of retirement and investment accounts, the process of dividing these resources becomes very complex and often contentious. Putting a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) or division of property order (DOPO) in place may be an option for protecting your financial interests during marital property and asset division. At MacDowell Law Group, PC, our family law attorneys help with the division of retirement and...

At MacDowell Law Group, PC, our child support lawyers advise clients about their right to receive or obligation to pay child support. We provide a practical approach to these issues that is designed to protect your interests while saving you time and money. If you have children and are going through a divorce or otherwise need help with support issues, speak with us. Please call 571-748-5647 to consult with a legal professional. Child Support Commitments Are Calculated Under...

At MacDowell Law Group, PC, our Fairfax property division attorneys provide cost-effective solutions to a wide range of asset division problems. We will work hard to help craft an agreement that protects your valuable interests, rather than having a judge decide these issues following extensive litigation. We can help you protect the value of a family business, review the terms of a prenuptial agreement and advise you about the division of marital debts. If you are...

Whenever divorcing spouses operate a family business that accounts for a significant portion of their income, the valuation and division of business assets will present important issues throughout the case. Any mistakes in the valuation and characterization of these assets could cost you part of your fair share of the marital estate. In Fairfax, the MacDowell Law Group, PC, has the legal skill set necessary to protect your property division rights. We will work hard to...

At MacDowell Law Group, PC, our alimony lawyers advise clients about their right to receive or obligation to pay spousal support. Our sensible approach to these issues can protect your interests while saving you both time and money. Whether you expect to receive or pay spousal support, or if you question whether the support terms of a prenuptial agreement will be honored, we will review your circumstances and advise you accordingly. Factors That Affect Spousal Maintenance...