What Assets Are Untouchable in a Divorce?

There are several assets that are untouchable in a divorce dispute. These include separate assets (those attained prior to your marriage), gifts and inheritances, and assets attained after you are legally separated from your spouse.nAll the assets in these categories should be kept separate from assets acquired during your marriage. This helps to prove your ownership after your divorce is finalized. If you commingle them with your marital assets, it could cause conflict during divorce proceedings.

Why Is Moving Out the Biggest Mistake in a Divorce?

Though your marriage relationship is deteriorating, moving out may seem like the answer; however, it can be a big mistake during a divorce. Overall, moving out of the marital home can add undue stress to your children as well as your marriage. It can also cause the judge to question your relationships with your kids, in addition to adding more financial burden and losing access to important documents located in your marital home.

How Are Assets Split in a Divorce in Virginia?

Per Virginia law, assets are split into three categories: separate property, marital property, and hybrid property. These assets can include vehicles, real estate, investments, as well as debt and bank accounts. After you submit the supporting documents and the judge identifies which category the property belongs to, he or she will then evaluate the current value of said property and divide it between you and your spouse.

What Disqualifies You From Alimony in a High-Asset Divorce in Virginia?

A few things can disqualify you from receiving alimony, especially if you are going through a contested fault-based divorce. A fault-based divorce is defined as one party playing a significant role in the dissolution of the marriage. The judge presiding over your case usually considers several factors to determine if you are eligible to receive alimony, such as the length of your marriage, your ability to be independent, and whether you are living with a new partner.

Arlington Family Law Attorney & Law Firm

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Arlington Family Law Lawyer

When a family is facing legal issues, it can be overwhelming and, in some cases, even devastating. Knowing when to hire a family attorney can be hard. When you do decide to talk to a lawyer, you’re faced with the challenge of finding the right one. Areas of family law are personal and sensitive; they concern the most important aspects of life, like marriage and your kids. You need an Arlington family law attorney you can trust.

Hire a Family Law Attorney in Arlington With Compassion for Your Situation

Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC has over 100 years of combined legal experience in family law. We understand the importance of your case and what you’re going through. This is why we provide customized legal services to meet the unique goals of our clients. We are aggressive litigants when necessary and have a strong understanding of Virginia family law. We work hard to get results for our clients, and we can do the same for you.

Virginia Family Law Cases

The most common type of family law case in Virginia is divorce, though the divorce rate in Virginia, 2.7%, is actually significantly less than the national average, 7.0%. Cases involving child custody and child support are also quite common at the Arlington County Judicial Center, located on North Courthouse Road in Arlington. The majority of family law cases are handled here in one of two courts:

Arlington County Circuit Court, 17th Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases are held here, including equitable distribution cases, as well as appeals from the J&DR Court mentioned below.
Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Often referred to as the J&DR Court, this court rules over all family law cases that involve child custody, child support, visitation, and protective orders involving cases of family abuse.

When looking for an Arlington family lawyer, it’s important to select a family law firm that is familiar with county procedures and local applications of the law. It also helps when an attorney is established in the area and has a respectful rapport with local judges and court staff.

Areas of Family Law

Family law encompasses a wide range of legal needs. If you are facing any of these cases, among others, an Arlington family law attorney can represent you:

Contested divorce
Uncontested divorce
High-asset divorce
Property division
Child custody
Visitation
Spousal support
Child support
Premarital agreements

When to Hire an Arlington Family Law Attorney

Knowing when to contact an Arlington family lawyer can mean the difference between two very different case outcomes, depending on the type of case and your situation. In a divorce, going into your case without your own legal representation can have negative consequences. You could lose legal rights of ownership to assets, receive unfair custody or support arrangements, and/or suffer from long-term financial ramifications, depending on the malevolence of your spouse.

Not only do you risk being unrepresented in final rulings over your divorce, but you could also make significant legal mistakes, such as missing a deadline or failing to properly present evidence. You may also find yourself up against an attorney who is highly skilled in proceedings and negotiations. If the judge holds you to the same standards as a qualified attorney, you likely won’t be pleased with the results of your case.

FAQs

How Can I Know If a Family Lawyer Is Good?

To know if a family lawyer is good, first check their client reviews. This can provide insight into their level of customer service and the overall tone of the firm. Some attorneys provide their credentials and experience on their website; if they don’t, it’s probably a good sign to move on. Meeting with a family lawyer face-to-face is an ideal way to decide if they are a good fit for you.

How Do I Impress a Judge in Family Court?

How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost?

When Should I Hire a Family Attorney?

What Looks Bad in a Custody Case?

Connect With an Arlington Family Lawyer

When you hire a family law attorney from Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC, you can be sure you are getting a top Arlington family lawyer. Our team will always treat you with respect and compassion. We can handle your family law case with care. Contact our office to schedule an appointment to meet with us.

I can’t find all of the words to describe Hope F. Rosen! Efficient and always responsive— Hope gave me peace of mind. Hope balanced professionalism with real empathy. I never felt alone with Taylor Huguley Powers. Hope navigated a complicated divorce settlement issue better than I could've hoped. She was…

- Celeste S.

Roberta Henault and the THP team are an outstanding choice for anyone seeking a fair and favorable resolution in a complex divorce. Their business ethics and professional approach were evident from the very first day, and Roberta's consistent attention to my case was critical to the positive outcome.

- Alexander S.

Leigh Taylor was wonderful to work with. She is very organized, responsive, and provided excellent advice and direction. I appreciated her honesty and ability to explain options to me during my divorce. Leigh's integrity comes through in every area of her practice. Divorce is one of the most painful and…

- Robin O.

I will be forever grateful to Leigh Taylor for her wise advice, honesty, caring manner, and excellent negotiation skills. She strongly encouraged mediation in my case and, even though I was terrified of a potentially negative outcome, I went ahead with it. Leigh helped me through the entire process and…

- Susan W.

I can't recommend enough to working with this firm. I was given the most precious gift which is time with my child and the opportunity to be a Father.

- Steven F.

Absolutely the best! Highly, highly recommend! Roberta Henault was on top of my case every step of the way. Always felt I had a full understanding of all my options.

- Robert S.

I know each of the attorneys at Taylor Huguley Powers, PLLC, personally and professionally. These three women go above and beyond on behalf of their clients. Tenacious in the courtroom and empathetic with their client, they are all very respected in the Northern Virginia legal community for their experience and…

- Jennifer P.

Ms. Powers is excellent at her craft! She has the knowledge, skills and abilities to guide her clients through the toughest and most complex of legal issues. Additionally, she instills very wise guidance along the way. And most importantly, she does not forget past clients and the legal challenges that…

- Jeff V.

Highly recommend Leigh Taylor and her team for their expertise and professionalism

- Leah R.

Leigh Taylor, and the firm, were phenomenal through the whole process! Whether it was timely return of calls or emails, being easily accessible, willing to assist when matters arose, or execute and display profound legal knowledge, Leigh nailed it. Furthermore, Leigh knew how to skillfully navigate strategically and proactively did…

- Jennifer G.

Kim is a caring and extremely competent attorney. She helped me think through important aspects of my divorce agreement — ones I had not previously considered. With her help, I was able to reach an efficient and mutually agreeable settlement. I was very grateful for her advice and counsel and…

- Jennifer C.

I am grateful to have had Roberta Henault as my attorney. She is experienced, responsive, and takes necessary action to resolve issues. I valued the guidance and options I received throughout my divorce process. It is an emotional time. However, with her counsel I made decisions that I am content…

- Julie M.

I was referred to Ms. Roberta Henault by a trusted church friend when I was in need of an attorney to independently review a prenuptial agreement prepared by my fiancé's attorney. Ms. Henault's careful review of the agreement led to clarified wording in a few sections. The edited document was…

- Judy R.

Excellent service. Friendly and timely responses. Thorough and complete results. Very fair pricing. Highly recommend this firm.

- Evie M.

Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC law firm is the best law firm. Last year, I was going through tough and painful times. I reached out to Ms. Leigh Taylor and explained my situation to her. Ms. Leigh Taylor and Jenna Bouley represented me and made sure my situation was resolved by…

- Gifty N.

I highly recommend this firm. They are very competent and I would certainly use again if needed.

- Peggy L.

As a psychologist who frequently collaborates with legal professionals, I had the distinct pleasure of working with Ms. Hope Rosen on a recent case involving a multiple day trial. It was clear to me that her expertise in family law is matched only by her compassion and commitment to her…

- Michael O.

Going through a divorce is never easy, but going through a divorce with an ex-husband who was very controlling and emotionally abuse was intense and emotionally and physically draining. Then, throw on top of that complicated government retirement plans, and it was overwhelming. I did a lot of research trying…

- J.W.

After much research for a divorce lawyer, I was still undecided so I went to a family friend, also a divorce lawyer, and asked who she would least like to face in court and her answer was Leigh Taylor. I set up a meeting with Leigh, and she was extremely…

- A Very Satisfied Divorcee

This was a very stressful time for me and I was often very angry with my ex-husband. Debra Powers was excellent at calming me down and putting things into perspective. Her “homework” assignments helped me to get organized and to see the bigger picture. Whenever I left her office, it…

- Anonymous

Going through a divorce wasn’t easy after almost 25 years of marriage but Debra Powers helped make the process a little easier and stress free. Debra and her team were true professionals. The process itself was extremely overwhelming as well as emotional but having Debra as my attorney and her…

- Debbie D.

Debra Powers represented me in my lengthy divorce proceedings, including some post-judgment issues. Debra was always attentive and responsive, and always available by phone or email, or in person as necessary. She listened carefully to my concerns and responded with understanding and care. My divorce was complicated by a lengthy…

- Kathy V.

As an attorney myself, I know that a good attorney is above all a "zealous advocate," and Leigh Taylor lived up to both those words in representing me in my divorce. She was a responsive ally when interacting with me, and a tough negotiator on behalf of my interests when…

Arlington Family Law Attorney