Blog | [[title]]

Is Divorce Mediation a Good Choice for Me?

2026-03-31 00:00:00

Anyone looking to avoid long, expensive litigation in a courtroom for their 2026 divorce might consider mediation as an option. Mediation focuses on keeping things out of court, and many couples in 2026 are choosing it as a way to work through the terms of their split with less conflict, less time, and often less expense than a fully contested divorce. If you are about to begin the divorce process and are wondering whether mediation could work for you, a Prince William County divorce attorney can help you think through your options before deciding.

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Mediation is a process where both spouses meet with a neutral third party, called a mediator, to set the terms of their divorce. The mediator helps both sides communicate and work toward an agreement that both people can accept. This, for many, is preferable to a judge making decisions for them.

Will Divorce Affect My Credit Score in Virginia?

2026-02-25 00:00:00

One question about divorce that many people don’t think to ask until it’s too late is whether it affects their credit score. If you’re going through a Virginia divorce in 2026, a Loudoun County divorce attorney can help you understand how the divorce process will affect all of your finances.

Does Getting Divorced Lower Your Credit Score?

Getting divorced does not directly lower your credit score. Divorce itself is not reported to credit bureaus and does not show up on your credit report. Marriage and marital status are not factors in your credit score at all.

However, what happens during and after a divorce can absolutely affect your credit. The legal process of ending a marriage involves dividing debts, closing or changing accounts, and often going from a two-income household to one. Any of those changes can cause damage to your credit score.

Is Collaborative Divorce Always Cheaper Than Traditional Divorce in Virginia?

2026-01-28 00:00:00

When you are considering divorce, cost is likely one of your biggest worries. You may have heard that collaborative divorce saves money compared to litigation or going to court. While collaborative divorce can cost less in many cases, it is not always the cheaper option for everyone in 2026.

Understanding the real costs of both approaches can help you make the right choice for your situation. If you are thinking about divorce, a Prince William County divorce attorney can help you understand which option makes the most sense for your family and your budget.

What is Collaborative Divorce in Virginia?

"Collaborative divorce" is a process where you and your spouse each hire your own lawyer. Everyone – you, your spouse, and your lawyers – agrees to work together to reach a settlement without going to court. You sign a contract at the beginning saying that if the collaborative process fails, both lawyers have to withdraw. You will then hire new attorneys for trial. This encourages all parties to find solutions and avoid having to start the process over.

How Do I Know If My Spouse Is Hiding Assets?

2025-12-21 00:00:00

When one spouse hides assets during the Virginia divorce process, it can have a devastating impact on the final divorce decree for the other spouse. If you are going through a divorce, speaking with a Loudoun County, VA divorce lawyer can help you understand what is normal and what may warrant a closer look. Knowing the signs and what’s involved in the legal process can help you feel more prepared and informed.

What Does It Mean To Hide Assets During a Virginia Divorce?

Hiding assets means failing to fully disclose money, property, or financial benefits during divorce. Virginia law requires both spouses to be open about their finances so the court can divide property fairly.

Virginia follows equitable distribution rules under Virginia Code § 20-107.3. This law requires the court to identify, value, and divide marital property in a way that is fair, even if it is not equal. For that process to work, both spouses must provide complete and accurate financial information. When assets are left out, the court may not have the full picture it needs to make proper decisions.

How Does Visitation Work in Virginia?

2025-11-20 00:00:00

When parents separate or divorce, one parent usually gets primary physical custody while the other gets visitation time with the children. Understanding how Virginia courts handle visitation helps you know what to expect and how to protect your relationship with your kids.

Our Fairfax County divorce attorney can help you create your first custody plan and fight for your right to see your children.

What Kind of Visitation Agreement Can We Make?

Visitation in Virginia is often also called parenting time. In any child custody case, the goal is to give children meaningful relationships with both parents whenever possible. Virginia Code Section 20-124.3 guides courts in making custody and visitation decisions based on what serves the best interests of the child.

When Is Litigation Necessary in a Divorce?

2025-10-20 00:00:00

In many cases, settling a divorce outside of court is an ideal option for avoiding unnecessary conflict and delays. That said, there are some situations where a divorce trial may be necessary. If you are planning on proceeding to litigation, a Fairfax County, VA divorce attorney can provide you with strong counsel and representation.

As a solo practitioner, Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law can provide you with individualized legal services during an intense divorce trial, tailoring her approach to your needs. In her career, she has personally helped clients through highly contested divorces involving child custody matters, complex property distribution, and other pressing issues.

Three Reasons to Consider Divorce Litigation in Virginia

Protecting the Child’s Best Interests

In a divorce between parents, looking out for the child’s ongoing needs and welfare is a top priority. Joint custody agreements where both parents share possession and decision-making responsibility of the child are common, but in some cases, one parent may wish to pursue sole custody.

What to Expect from the Virginia Divorce Process

2025-09-17 00:00:00

Many people who want to get divorced stay married simply because thinking about the divorce process can feel so overwhelming. Even when both spouses agree that it is time to move forward separately, the legal process can feel confusing and intimidating. It can be difficult to know how long divorce will take. You may be nervous about how your life will change.

However, concern about the divorce process is no reason to stay in a miserable marriage, especially when you have a friendly Fairfax County family lawyer ready to help you. Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law, has more than 15 years of experience representing clients in Virginia. By guiding you through every step, from filing to final judgment, we can help you move forward.

Here is a little about what to expect from the divorce process in Virginia.

Grounds for Divorce in Virginia

Virginia law recognizes both "no-fault" and "fault-based" divorces. The choice between no-fault and fault-based grounds often depends on your circumstances and whether proving fault could affect property division or spousal support.

Managing a Private Practice’s Personal vs. Business Goodwill in a Virginia Divorce

2025-08-19 00:00:00

For professionals who own private practices, divorce often raises difficult questions about how the value of the business will be divided. Doctors, dentists, lawyers, and other solo practitioners are usually concerned about whether their practice will be considered marital property and, if so, how much of its value will be subject to division. This makes the distinction between personal goodwill and business goodwill a key issue in Virginia divorces.

With more than 15 years of experience, including representing high net worth families in complex property division cases, Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law is a Loudoun County, VA divorce lawyer who understands the challenges professionals face when personal reputation and business assets overlap.

What Does Virginia Law Say About Property Division?

Virginia follows an equitable distribution system under Va. Code § 20-107.3. This means marital property is divided fairly, though not always equally. A private practice that was created or that grew during the marriage may be classified, at least in part, as marital property. Before dividing any business interest, the court must determine its value. In the case of professional practices, valuation often depends on separating personal goodwill from business goodwill.

How Can I Get the Most Child Support Possible?

2025-07-22 00:00:00

Raising a child is expensive, and when parents divorce or separate, child support can become a major issue. Many parents want to know how they can secure the highest possible child support amount to ensure their children’s needs are fully met. Unfortunately, the parent paying child support rarely sees it that way, and arguments are often a consequence.

While Virginia law provides guidelines for calculating child support, there are situations where courts can order additional support based on the child’s unique needs and the parents’ financial situations. Our Fairfax County, VA child support attorney can help you set realistic expectations for how much child support you can receive and help you ask for as much as possible.

How Child Support Payments Are Set in Virginia

Virginia uses an income shares model outlined in Virginia Code § 20-108.2 to calculate child support. This model uses both parents’ gross incomes, the number of children, healthcare expenses, childcare costs, and other expenses to determine each parent’s share of child support.

Can Cheating Affect How Much Alimony You Receive in Virginia?

2025-06-18 00:00:00

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, cheating on your spouse is not just a private issue. It can carry serious legal consequences during divorce. Unlike many other states, Virginia continues to allow fault-based divorce grounds, and cheating on your spouse remains one of the most significant. When spousal support is a part of the divorce, proof of infidelity can change the outcome. In some cases, it can prevent alimony altogether.

For those in long-term marriages or financially unbalanced relationships, understanding how adultery affects spousal support is critical to protecting your interests. Call Loudoun County, VA divorce attorney Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law to learn more.

What Does Virginia Law Say About Cheating and Spousal Support?

Under Virginia Code § 20-107.1, the court may award spousal support. However, the statute also includes a strong presumption against awarding support to a spouse who committed adultery. This is not an automatic disqualification, but the burden shifts significantly. If the court finds that the recipient spouse engaged in adultery, the presumption is that no spousal support should be awarded. The spouse who wants spousal support then has to successfully challenge that presumption. This provision makes Virginia one of the few jurisdictions where marital misconduct can still have direct financial consequences.