• WHAT is
• Collaborative Divorce

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 ...

• Child Custody in
• Virginia

Child 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.

• Child Visitation
• Virginia

When 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.

• Importance of
• Co-Parenting Coaches

In 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.

• Separation
• Agreements

A separation agreement is a legal document that will contain the decisions you and your spouse have made in the Collaborative Process that resolve the various legal and financial issues of a separation and divorce. Although the Commonwealth of Virginia requires a separation period of either six or twelve months, (depending upon whether or not you have children) Virginia attorneys can help you begin to address such issues as soon as the decision to separate has been made, or at any point that you and your spouse are ready to begin this process.

• Unmarried Partners
• In Virginia

You do not have to be married 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 a divorcing couple. We want you to benefit from the services we provide.

• Child
• Support

If 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.

• Spousal
• Support

When 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.

• Prenuptial
• Agreements

When handled collaboratively, prenuptial agreements become an opportunity to engage a couple in educating and planning for their upcoming marriage. Financial and property issues are generally on the agenda, but other crucial issues are routinely addressed: creating a family, plans for children and the roles of each partner in child rearing; allocation of labor and resources during the marriage; what will be joint endeavors and joint property; what will be separate endeavors and separate property; what resources will be applied to debts; what are the hopes or expectations about savings, investments and retirement? By exploring individual and shared views on these and other issues in advance with prenuptial agreements, a couple can plan for how their partnership will operate on some very practical levels