BETTER for you and YOUR CHILDREN
Collaborative Divorce is a process where you, your spouse, both your attorneys and other specially-trained professionals agree to resolve all issues in your case without going to court. You work together, in private, to find a way to meet each individual’s needs as well as those of your children so that your family may make a smoother transition from one household to two.
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Collaborative Divorce is a comparatively new way for married couples to resolve disputes respectfully, without going to court -- while working with trained professionals who are important to all areas of life affecting the divorce.
The heart of Collaborative Divorce (also called “no-court divorce,” “divorce with dignity,” “peaceful divorce”) is to offer individuals the ...
Read MoreChild custody (time sharing) is often the most contentious issue between parents who are separating or divorcing. The family law courts throughout Virginia are directed by state law to apply the principle of the Best Interests of the Children in determining an arrangement for child custody and visitation. This is true both in a contested divorce and in an uncontested divorce, as the court will not finalize the action until it is clear that the children will be left in an arrangement that provides for their well-being.
Read MoreWhen parents divorce, the family law courts in Virginia prefer to rule in favor of a parenting plan that you create which enables both parents to spend as much time as possible with the children. Provided that neither parent has a history of domestic violence, child abuse or chemical substance addiction (a condition that would make it unsafe for the children to spend time with that parent), the courts will always seek an arrangement that allows both you and your spouse to continue to play substantial roles in your children’s lives.
Read MoreIn the United States, co-parenting is used to describe situations in which two parents who are separated, divorced or no longer in a romantic relationship with one another share the rights and responsibilities of raising a child. In most co-parenting situations, divorced, separated, or unmarried parents wish to share the responsibility of rearing the children, including decisions pertaining to such important issues as time sharing (visitation), education, religious upbringing and medical care.
Read MoreIn a marriage, all property that is not specifically mentioned in a marital agreement is considered marital property. In the event of a divorce, death or separation, marital property is distributed as seen fit by a divorce court judge. In order to avoid confusing and sometimes frustrating marital property distributions and judgments, couples can opt to make pre-planned marital agreements. In these agreements, property such as money and real estate are addressed and distribution is agreed upon by both parties. There are three kinds of marital agreements that most couples are eligible for and that our team of Virginia Collaborative Divorce professionals can draft and file for you.
Read MoreYou do not have to be married to come to the Virginia collaborative divorce lawyers at Collaborative Divorce Center of Coastal Virginia for help with resolving the issues involved in ending your relationship. We understand that unmarried couples and partners living together face many of the same problems as those that confront a divorcing couple. We want you to benefit from the services we provide.
Read MoreIf you are a parent of a minor child or minor children, child support is another critical issue that will have to be determined in the Collaborative Process. If you decide that it is best for the children to live primarily with one parent that parent will usually be the recipient of child support from the other parent.
Read MoreWhen partners separate, spousal support is an important issue that must be addressed within the Collaborative Process. If one spouse has been financially dependent upon the other during the marriage, or if there is a significant disparity in income earned by husband and wife, such complex and emotionally charged issues are best suited for the Collaborative Process. In other cases, it is entirely appropriate that husband and wife decide there will be no spousal support. Regardless of your situation, however it is always best for you and your spouse to stay in control of such decisions as opposed to having a judge decide what is best for you.
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