Does Anyone Know About Divorce in VA?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2003
Does Anyone Know About Divorce in VA?
6
Sun, 07-09-2006 - 1:37pm

Hello,
We have been seperated since the begining of the year? I live in VA, he lives in NC. We have 2 boys. Would we have to go to court or can I just file the papers myself? The kids are not an issue. They will be with me. He already said he can not handle them. We have no property, credit cards or bills together.

Any advice will be great.

Symone

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-08-2004
Sun, 07-09-2006 - 5:49pm

Hi, and welcome to the board!


Family law varies so much from state to state. I would suggest contacting an attorney so you can have your specific questions answered. Most will give a free or low-cost initial consultation. You don't even have to use the attorney to file, but I would suggest a consultation at a minimum.


Also, check out our community web site for more helpful resources - Community Web Site




iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Mon, 07-10-2006 - 12:45pm

Hello! I live in Virginia as well. As long as you ahve waited your year, and you do not have any disputes over custody, etc. you CAN file the paperwork yourself, but even I reccomend a lawyer, just in case there are any extra things lingering about. Usually you can get an uncontested divorce fairly reasonably. I know here in Hampton and Newport News there are SEVERAL that can get it done fairly cheaply for you. I retained custody of my boys, with him having "Reasonable visitation", there was no division of property, it was really cut and dry. I think we paid around 300 for the whole deal. We never stepped into court, just into my lawyers office, and because my ex was out of state they sent him the paperwork, and he just had it notarized and signed and he sent it back. My laywer took it through the courts, and it was all done in less that 6 weeks. I only went to his office twice,and one of those times were to meet with him initally, the second to sign my portion of the papers.
Hope that helped!!

Brandi

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 07-10-2006 - 4:56pm

You've been given some great advice... but I do strongly suggest that you seek the advice of an attorney, even if you do decide to file yourself.


One thing to consider..... who's advocating for your children?


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2003
Mon, 07-10-2006 - 6:32pm
He'll still be in the kids life, he can't handle them full time. Like full custody.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2003
Mon, 07-10-2006 - 6:34pm
Do you have to wait 1 yr? I was reading on the web and they said something about 6mths as well. In what cases can you wait 6 months versus a year?
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Tue, 07-11-2006 - 8:38am
It is my understanding that you have to wait one year if you have children together. There are some exceptions like in cases of abuse, adultry that you can prove, abandonment, etc that you don't have to wait the year. I think in those cases you can go for a divorce almost right away. When I was going through mine, I googles Virginia Divorce Laws and it brought up a site that pretty much told me everything I needed to know.