Family Law
Protecting and Supporting Families in Transition
Divorce and Separation
Spouses who wish to pursue divorce in Virginia have different grounds for filing a Complaint for Divorce, namely, desertion, cruelty, adultery, and no-fault.
The lawyers at The Duff Law Firm advise clients on how to obtain the most efficient and equitable resolution of the dissolution of their marriage.
Child Custody and Visitation
The Duff Law Firm represents clients in mediation, arbitration or in court on child custody and visitation cases.
Virginia courts determine child custody and visitation rights based on the best interest of the child(ren). The Duff Law Firm will exhaust every reasonable alternative to litigation when custody and visitation are at issue; however, if litigation is necessary, The Duff Law Firm will use all tools at its disposal to insure that the children's best interests are fully protected.
Child Support and Alimony
Child support is determined through published guidelines based on income. Spousal support (alimony) is subjective and is based upon many different factors including:
- The length of the marriage
- The established standard of living
- The custodial parent’s need to stay home
- Decisions that affect a spouse’s earning capacity
- Monetary support from other people
- Debts incurred by the family or for the production of income
- Tax consequences
The Duff Law Firm recognizes that financial issues attendant to divorce are often complex, and are always crucial to our client, whether the payor or the recipient. This fact is always kept paramount as we assist our clients through the rocky terrain of a divorce.
The firm also handles modifications of support if a spouse’s finances undergo a material change.
Division of Property/Equitable Distribution
Virginia family law differentiates between marital property and separate property.
Marital property is divided equitably, i.e., in a manner the court determines is to be fair.
The Duff Law Firm fully appreciates the importance of locating, classifying and valuing all assets which comprise the “marital estate.” The Firm takes great pride in its ability to understand and satisfy all of the crucial nuances of Virginia’s complex equitable distribution statute.
