Virginia Code Section 20-91(A)(9)(a) permits the granting of a divorce after the parties have lived "separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for one year." Only six months is required if the parties have entered into a separation agreement and do not have children in common.
In today's difficult economic times,
In March, I attended a four day course on collaborative law and mediation. The participants were attorneys, mental health professionals (counselors, therapists, psychologists) and financial experts. The experience was exciting in many respects. It was great to see so many people who are genuinely interested in Alternative Dispute Resolution and helping families resolve their differences in a healthy,
In family law cases, whether it be e-mail, text messages, or Internet activity, electronic evidence can mean the difference between making your case and being left with yet another instance of he-said-she-said. It is therefore critical for family law attorneys to understand the legal and technical parameters regarding obtaining electronic evidence.
According to family law attorney Mary Burkey Owens, “money and how people deal with their money is probably one of the biggest factors that lead to considering separation or divorce.” “If they are open with each other, willing to communicate, to create a family budget, and stick to the budget, to set up common goals —
Domestic relations attorneys are often required to advise individuals contemplating marriage or planning to live together about whether they need some form of agreement to protect their assets. Owens was the instructor for the Virginia CLE seminar on “Drafting Premarital Agreements in Virginia,” covering the legal and ethical issues regarding drafting and preserving premarital agreements.
The longer I practice family law, the more important I see alternative dispute resolution as a way to resolve differences in family law cases. Whether a couple is divorcing or deciding upon a custody and visitation arrangement for a child, the path they choose is important. Alternative dispute resolution gives people an opportunity to make a decision themselves rather than allow a third party to do so.
Mary Burkey Owens was named a Virginia Super Lawyer for 2009. This is the third time Mary has received this honor. She was also named one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers in Virginia. Mary’s practice focuses on family law and real estate.
Joe Owen was also named a Virginia Super Lawyer for 2009.
During a recent holiday visit, I had an enlightening discussion with family about estate planning matters. Somehow the conversation over Christmas dinner drifted to the topic of the utility of living trusts as a means to avoid probate (imagine that!). What ensued was a spirited debate, which resulted in the admission that my own parents don’t even have a valid will.
On December 18th, Joe Owen and Owen & Owens PLC hosted a breakfast for the Chesterfield Colonial Heights DrugCourtat the Village Bank Corporate headquarters. Joe is Chairman of the Chesterfield Colonial Heights Drug Court Foundation.
The breakfast was attended by various legislative, government and court officials from throughout the Richmond Metropolitan Area.
At Owen & Owens, we are always striving to provide high quality legal services at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, litigation is often expensive andmuch of the expensecannotbe completely controlled by your attorney. Much of the expense is dictated by the other side. However, you, as the client, can help significantly reduce your legal fees by providing your attorney with whatever documentation is relevant to your case in the most organized manner possible.
