In Virginia, if you are served with divorce paperwork you are being served with a complaint and a summons. The complaint is the document used in Virginia to begin the divorce process. The complaint will set forth the basic facts of the case and any grounds that the...
It depends. Shockingly, Virginia law does not provide a specific age number for which children can be left home alone by themselves. However, The Department of Social Services (DSS) warns that age alone is never a good indicator of a child’s maturity level. In...
Divorce can be a very overwhelming and time consuming process. In addition, you may be feeling hurt, betrayed, abandoned, and even angry. These feelings are natural! However, you cannot let your personal feelings cloud your judgment or affect the outcome of your...
Custody hearings can be stressful without the confusion of what certain legal terms mean. To help ease the custody process, here are a few helpful vocabulary terms. Temporary Custody – Determines who will have custody of the child while the parties wait for a...
Maybe you overslept, got your court date confused, or you simply forgot, either way you missed your court date. What happens will likely depend on the type of case. For example, if you have a simple traffic case then the parties will likely try the case in your...
What to wear for your court case may not seem important, but it is. Judges, like all people, may fall into the trap of forming an opinion about you simply based on the way you dress or look. You always want to make sure that you make a good first impression! Virginia...
The short answer is yes. First, if you simply pay the ticket you are essentially admitting guilt. As a result of this admission, you may receive a conviction, fines, and up to six traffic points depending on the severity of the charge. If you are charged with reckless...
Technology, like having a bunch of money, is neither good nor bad in itself. The thing is how you use it. Technology has made cheating on your spouse, or catching a cheater, easier than ever. There are also digital tools that can aid the unfaithful and the...
Yes. Virginia Code § 20.124.1 states that “a person with a “legitimate interest” shall be broadly construed and includes, but is not limited to, grandparents.” However, in Virginia there is a Parental Presumption. Parental Presumption The Parental Presumption was...
In many child custody cases, judges will appoint a Guardian ad Litem, also known as a GAL. Guardian ad Litem means “guardian for the suit”. A GAL in Virginia is an attorney who helps assist the judge in determining the circumstances of the case. A GAL’s role is...
