Arlington Divorce Lawyer

Arlington Divorce Attorney

With divorce, there is no standard. Everyone’s divorce is different. You need an Arlington divorce lawyer who understands this and takes the time to understand your family’s legal needs and emotional challenges. It’s also important to hire a local law firm that has experience with Virginia divorce laws and Arlington County courts.

Hire a Divorce Lawyer With Experience in Arlington Divorce Cases

The legal team at Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC has more than 100 years of collective experience in practicing family law in Arlington. We have navigated countless clients through some of the hardest divorces. We believe that every divorce case is different. For this reason, we add a personal touch to customize a unique strategy that meets the needs of each client. We then guide them from start to finish, working hard to optimize their case outcomes.

Virginia Divorce Laws

Virginia divorce cases are handled through the Circuit Court. Specifically, Arlington divorce cases go through the Arlington County Circuit Court. This is located in the Arlington County Justice Center on North Courthouse Road, between 14th Street and 15th Street in downtown Arlington.

To obtain a divorce in Virginia, you must meet certain residency requirements. According to Virginia Code § 20-97, one spouse must have been a Virginia resident for at least six months prior to filing. In addition, for a no-fault divorce, if minor children are involved, you must live apart from each other for one year prior to filing. If minor children aren’t involved, the required separation time is six months.

For a fault divorce, you can file immediately with no required separation period. Virginia Code § 20-91 defines the grounds for fault. Common grounds for divorce include cruelty, adultery, a felony conviction, or spousal desertion. It is rather difficult to prove fault, though, as very strong evidence is required. It is highly recommended that you discuss your divorce case with a knowledgeable divorce attorney, as they can advise you on whether you have sufficient evidence.

Areas of Contention in Divorce Cases

An experienced divorce attorney has an astute knowledge of Virginia divorce laws, and they understand how to apply them to a client’s unique case. Areas in which they can especially be of assistance include:

• Property division: Virginia is an equitable distribution state, so marital debts and assets will be divided fairly, though not necessarily equally, according to each spouse’s contribution to the marriage, the financial circumstances in the marriage, and the union’s duration.
• Spousal support: In some divorce cases, spousal support is ordered so that one spouse is required to financially support the other spouse, based on certain circumstances of the marriage.
• Child custody and child support: Child custody and parenting time in Virginia are determined according to the child’s best interest. Virginia Code § 20-108.2 defines child support guidelines.

Divorce Cases in Virginia

Virginia divorce rates have shown a steady decline over the past couple of decades. In 2022, the Virginia divorce rate was 2.9%, but it was as high as 4.4% in 1990. This decline isn’t so much a reflection of fewer divorce cases as it is a reflection of more conscientious marriages. A pattern has emerged of couples waiting to marry until they are more financially stable. This has resulted in fewer divorces.

For many couples, though, who didn’t wait to marry or have found they just aren’t right for each other, divorce is an inevitable reality. Finding the right divorce attorney and a way to compromise makes an amicable divorce more likely, which is preferred and recommended. This facilitates a faster and easier recovery from divorce.

FAQs

Consult an Arlington Divorce Attorney Who Is Well-Respected in Arlington

Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC is highly esteemed within Arlington County judicial circles. We take pride in the reputation our legal team has garnered in the communities and courts that we serve. When you hire a divorce lawyer from Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC, you can benefit from the high standard we have set for our firm.

If you are in need of a knowledgeable and experienced Arlington divorce lawyer, especially one who gets results and is client-focused, contact our office and schedule an appointment. When you meet with us, we can discuss your divorce case in more detail.