Love is in the air! Protect it with a prenup.

What is a Prenuptial Agreement?

Love is in the air! Protect it with a prenup. Have you noticed the endless engagement posts flooding your Facebook feed? Jewelers and family law attorneys alike certainly have. In 2024, Signet, owner of Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, Blue Nile and Diamond Direct, expects engagements to reach 2.4 million, an […] Read more »

Divorce Dilemma: Who Pays for Back-to-School Expenses?

Divorce Dilemma: Who Pays for Back-to-School Expenses?

It’s back-to-school season, and for divorced or separated parents, the question is: Who is paying for the expensive TI-84 calculator their child needs for class? Child support doesn’t cover the costly tab of #2 pencils, paper, clothes and computers, which runs on average $600 per child, adding more stress to what can already be a tense situation between parents. Read more »

Who Gets the Engagement Ring After a Breakup?

Who Gets the Engagement Ring After a Breakup?

Although engagements are typically a time of joy and associated with new beginnings, some engagements come to an unforeseen end. When this happens, a major question on everyone’s mind is “who will get the engagement ring?” The answer is not black and white, explains SmolenPlevy Family Law Attorneys Alan Plevy […] Read more »

Can I Make My Spouse Pay for My Divorce Attorney?

Who Pays for the Divorce Attorney?

A frequent question in divorce is whether you can make an ex-spouse pay for your divorce attorney. Family law attorneys Alan Plevy and Kyung (Kathryn) Dickerson say the answer isn’t always clear cut. Who typically pays for the divorce attorney? Laws differ from state to state, but in Virginia, the […] Read more »

The Pros and Cons of a Co-Parenting Coordinator

The Pros and Cons of a Co-Parenting Coordinator

Tensions can run high when former spouses have to work together and oftentimes, divorced couples feel like they are no longer allies. Yet, when they have children, there are numerous decisions that the divorced couple needs to make together. Enter professional decision makers, also known as co-parenting coordinators. A co-parenting coordinator is a neutral third party who serves a divorced or separated couple as a decision maker and a facilitator of communication. Read more »

Who Keeps the Pet After A Divorce?

Who gets the family pets after divorce?

Pets are often regarded as beloved members of the family. But what happens to them when a couple decides to divorce? The debate over pet ownership may cause added stress, becoming one of the hardest decisions for either party to make. Fortunately, Virginia law provides a clear basis for pet […] Read more »