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 »

Compiling a Marital Balance Sheet in Divorce

Compiling a martial balance sheet for divorce

When thinking about divorce or entering the divorce process, organizing your financial documents is a smart way to be prepared and help the process move along smoothly. The first step is to compile a marital balance sheet. This document shows the assets and liabilities owed by the couple, whether individually […] Read more »

What Happens to the Family Business After Divorce?

What happens to the family business after divorce?

Businesses are as complicated as marriages Maintaining a family business, like divorce, is a process that requires attention to detail and the ability to understand the needs of other people. You can’t just shut down a business because things became too tough or because you grew apart from your spouse.  […] Read more »

My Spouse Won’t Sign The Divorce Papers

What do I do if my spouse won't sign the divorce papers?

Divorces are unpredictable. While no one goes into marriage expecting to get divorced, it can happen and may be the best solution for couples with unresolvable marital problems. But what happens when a couple who disagree about everything, can’t agree on divorce? Principals Alan Plevy and Kyung (Kathryn) Dickerson, walk […] Read more »

What Can a Prenuptial Agreement Do For You?

What is a prenuptial agreement?

It has become more common for people to consider signing a prenuptial agreement, or prenup, prior to getting married. These agreements are sometimes thought to only be for “the rich”, but they can save anybody a lot of time and stress later on. What is a Prenuptial Agreement? A prenuptial […] Read more »

5 Tips for Talking to Your Kids About Divorce

Tips for talking to your kids about divorce

While no child imagines a world where their parents aren’t together, divorce is becoming increasingly common – almost 50% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce or separation. Divorce is already a tough and emotionally taxing process so, when it comes to telling your children about an upcoming separation, […] Read more »