Leesburg, VA Divorce Attorneys

Supportive Lawyers Helping Clients in Leesburg, Virginia Divorce Cases

Nobody wants to deal with a long, drawn-out divorce. If you are thinking about filing for divorce, you should strongly consider seeking out legal representation to facilitate a smooth separation. A skilled Leesburg family law attorney can provide you with effective legal advice and advocate on your behalf during intense negotiations.

At Salvado Law Offices, we have over 25 years of experience practicing family law. Clients who work with us enjoy the wide breadth of legal services we provide, as we tailor our approach to the demands of each case. We employ tried and tested legal strategies to efficiently resolve any concerns that may arise during the divorce process.

Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement is a binding legal document signed by you and your spouse that can determine how certain financial and personal matters will be addressed if you ever get divorced. Provisions in a prenup may include:

• How debt will be divided
• How your property will be split up
• Whether or not spousal support will be awarded
• Who will retain ownership of a business
• What will be done with your or your spouse's inheritance

Some people are apprehensive about prenuptial agreements, viewing them as planning for divorce. However, even if divorce never comes to pass between you and your spouse, a valid prenup can quell your worries.

Uncertainty in a divorce can create conflict, which can lead to unnecessary delays. With a marital agreement in place, you can rest assured with an understanding of exactly what will become of your property and assets at the end of your marriage. A skilled family law attorney can help you create a prenuptial agreement that covers all of your bases.

Asset Division and Spousal Support

During a divorce, all of your shared property, which is known as the marital estate, will have to go through the process of division. Virginia adheres to the principle of equitable distribution in asset division, which means that your marital property will be divided according to what the court considers fair.

The distribution could be a 50/50 split, but depending on your and your spouse's contributions to the marriage, the ratio could be closer to 60/40 or 70/30. If you would rather not leave asset division up to a judge's decision, you and your spouse can agree to settle outside of court with your own proposed solution. However, any agreement you reach must be approved by a judge.

Additionally, a judge may decide to award spousal support depending on your financial circumstances. This award is intended to provide either you or your spouse with the means to become financially independent. Our divorce attorneys can help you petition for or contest an order of spousal support.

Child Custody

Child custody is a sensitive topic in a divorce. In Virginia, both parents have a right to be in their child's life unless it would be detrimental to the child's physical or mental health. No matter what, the court will always put the best interests of the child first. The courts generally encourage parents to work together to reach a joint custody agreement, even if they do not get along.

Custody has two separate considerations. First, physical custody governs who the child will live with, whether split between both parents' residences or primarily at one parent's home, with the other having visitation rights. Second, legal custody governs how parents will make decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and other important areas.

Meet With a Leesburg Divorce Lawyer Today

Filing for divorce is not an easy decision to make. A devoted family law attorney can walk you through the steps of getting a divorce, advocating for your rights in and out of court. Call our offices at 301-933-1814 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.