Vienna Divorce Attorneys

Caring Lawyers for Spouses Going Through Divorce in Vienna, Virginia

When your marriage becomes unsupportable, divorce may be the only path forward. The legal complexities surrounding asset division, child custody, and alimony may cause friction between you and your spouse, and when conflict arises, it is important that you know how to advocate for yourself. During this fraught process, a Vienna divorce lawyer can provide you with legal counsel and representation to protect your best interests.

At Salvado Law Offices, our lawyers have experience handling complicated and challenging divorces. As skilled negotiators, we can help you reach a favorable settlement outside of court, and if necessary, we can take your case to trial.

Alimony

Alimony, also referred to as spousal support, is awarded based on need. You will not qualify for spousal support simply because you earn less than your spouse; instead, you have to show that the divorce would leave you in a state of financial hardship due to the division of marital property, your monetary resources, and your earning potential. Alimony can be awarded for a set number of months or years, or it may be paid indefinitely in some cases.

A fault-based divorce can affect an alimony award. For example, if your spouse caused the collapse of your marriage through cruel treatment, the judge can factor that into the final alimony decision. By the same token, you could be denied alimony if you caused the collapse of your marriage through adultery.

At Salvado Law Offices, we can assess your case and advocate for or against an award of spousal support depending on your financial situation.

Asset Division

During your divorce, the courts will draw a line between separate property and marital property. The property and assets you share with your spouse, like the marital home or your joint bank accounts, will be divided in an equitable and just manner. On the other hand, your individual property will be yours to keep.

As a general rule, marital property refers to any assets you acquired during your marriage. Exceptions may be made for gifts and inheritances made out to one spouse alone. However, separate property can become marital property if it increases in value during your marriage or if it is mixed with marital funds. One of the reasons couples often draft prenuptial agreements is to protect separate assets from becoming intertwined with marital property.

At Salvado Law Offices, we can help you negotiate for an ideal split of property outside of court, taking into account your needs and economic resources. However, if your spouse is not willing to negotiate in good faith, we can advocate for your property rights in court.

Child Custody

In Virginia, child custody is determined solely according to what is in the child's best interests. Parents can provide input about what they think is best for their child, and they are often encouraged to work together to reach a custody agreement. The two major responsibilities in a custody agreement are as follows:

• Physical Custody: This determines who is responsible for taking care of the child on a daily basis. A schedule for parenting time will need to be created, detailing when the child will live with each parent. Even if a parent does not have a majority share of physical custody, they will usually still have the right to visitation.
• Legal Custody: This gives a parent the right to make major life decisions for the child, especially pertaining to school, healthcare, religion, and extracurriculars. In most cases, these responsibilities will be shared by both parents, and they will need to work together to make important decisions.

At Salvado Law Offices, we are here to uphold your parental rights while advocating for a healthy solution for your child's upbringing.

Contact a Vienna, VA Divorce Lawyer Today

Are you considering filing for divorce, or are you struggling with a pending divorce? At Salvado Law Offices, our Vienna divorce attorneys are ready to lend you a helping hand. Call our firm at 301-933-1814 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.