Charlottesville, Virginia Family Law

Aggressive Virginia Family Law Attorney with offices in Charlottesville and Lake Monticello

What we do for families

The Charlottesville family law attorneys at Tucker Griffin Barnes understand how complicated and highly emotional family law issues can be.  We are here to help.  We work one-on-one with family law clients to determine their priorities and tailor a strategy for achieving them in a cost-effective manner.   In every family law case, we strive to have as little impact on the children as possible.

Through the years, our firm has represented countless Virginia family law clients, affording us the skills, experience, and insight needed to bring family matters to a satisfactory conclusion.  With compassion and discretion, our Charlottesville family lawyers skillfully handle:

Recent Awards and Recognition

• Voted Charlottesville's "Favorite Law Firm," 2011 Daily Progress.
• Voted Charlottesville's "Best Of" Law Firm, 2011 C-Ville.
• Voted Charlottesville's "No.1 Family Lawyer," 2010 Albemarle Family Magazine.
• Recognized in BestAttorneyOnline.com for "Best Accident & Injury Law Firms" in Va.
• Recognized in Guaranteed Lawyers for our "Personal Injury Practice."
• Recognized in the Super Lawyers "Virginia Rising Stars" list.
• Listed in Martindale-Hubbell's 2011 "Directory of Distinguished Attorneys."

What some of our clients have said

• "Wonderful law firm...Laura Butler is the best!  Very realistic, yet understanding."
• "In every professional dealing I have had with Laura Butler, I have found her to be exceptionally knowledgeable and well-prepared.  Her knowledge of the law has been thorough in each of our dealings.  In addition, she has consistently been able to see my situation and her counsel has been to the point and helpful for me specifically.  She has earned my trust in her judgment.  I find her to be pragmatic and an effective communicator - able to grasp the situation and to communicate clearly the counsel, advice, and solutions that are best in each situation."
• "When you first interview Laura Butler, it is apparent you are in the presence of a true professional in all aspects of family law.  From her childhood, Laura was exposed to this often contentious environment presented by the divorce of her parents.  From this experience, she can offer valuable counsel to children involved.  Her communication skills with her clients are exceptional.  Laura is always prepared.  I never saw her surprised either in or out of court.  She treats all adversaries with respect, and then proceeds to dismantle them.  When I saw how well she knew, and could quickly recall, the details of my case, in court, I was amazed.  The other attorney had to refer to his notes to get the names and ages of the children, while Laura was able to give names, ages and the schools they attended without referring to anything.  I could tell the respect the judge had for her."

Our Charlottesville family lawyers

Laura Blair Butler
Lynn A. Bradley
Mary Ann Barnes

Frequently asked questions about Virginia family law

Am I entitled to, or obligated to pay, alimony?

A court may grant to either party spousal support (alimony) that is temporary, permanent, or a lump sum based on several factors:

1. The obligations, needs and financial resources of the parties, including but not limited to income from all pension, profit sharing or retirement plans, of whatever nature;
2. The standard of living established during the marriage;
3. The duration of the marriage;
4. The age and physical or mental condition of the parties and any special circumstances of the family;
5. The extent to which the age, physical or mental condition or special circumstances of any child of the parties would make it appropriate that a party not seek employment outside of the home;
6. The contributions, monetary and nonmonetary, of each party to the well-being of the family;
7. The property interests of  the parties, both real and personal, tangible and intangible;
8. The provisions made with regard to the marital property under section 20-107.3;
9. The earning capacity, including the skills, education and training of the parties and the present employment opportunities for persons possessing such earning capacity;
10. The opportunity for, ability of, and the time and costs involved for a party to acquire the appropriate education, training and employment to obtain the skills needed to enhance his or her earning ability;
11. The decisions regarding employment, career, economics, education and parenting arrangements made by the parties during the marriage and their effect on present and future earning potential, including the length of time one or both of the parties have been absent from the job market;
12. The extent to which either party has contributed to the attainment of education, training, career position or professional of the other party; and
13. Such other factors, including the tax consequences to each party, as are necessary to consider the equities between the parties.

Do I need an attorney for a family law proceeding?

Although it is possible to represent yourself in family court, it is not advisable in the vast majority of cases.  Should you choose to represent yourself, the court cannot assist you with your case.  You are held to the same requirements as the other party’s attorney.  If you mishandle your case due to lack of knowledge or skill, an attorney may have difficulty reversing your mistakes.

What are the most common types of adoption?

1. Domestic Adoption:  adoptions that take place in the United States;
2. International Adoption:  adoptions by Americans of non-American children from another country.  These adoptons can be the most complex, as adoptive parents will have to comply with the legal requirements of not just the child's birth country, but also of the US governement and their state of residence before the adoption can be completed;
3. Stepparent Adoption:  the most comon type of adoption in which an adult married to the biological or adoptive parent of the child adopts the child to create a parent-child relationship;
4. Open Adoption:  an adoption in which the parties agree to some level of contact with birth parents after an adoption's completed.  In some states, like Virginia, it is not possible to make any agreement for such post adoption contact legally enforceable;
5. Closed Adoption:  traditional form of adoption in which the adoptive parents do not meet with the birth parent(s) and no identifying or other contact information is exchanged, although medical histories may be made enforceable; and
6. Adult Adoption:  the adoption of an adult 18 years or older.  More common in a foster family relationship where the child may not have been available to adopt until after his or her 18th birthday.  Adult adoptions are easier procedurelly to complete than child adoptions, with shorter waiting periods and less state requirements (such as home studies.)  The biological parents are not required to consent to the adoption.

What is your fee structure?

We handle cases on a flat fee or hourly basis.  We offer initial consultations at our hourly rate.  At the end of the consultation, we can determine the appropriate fee structure for your case, and you can evaluate our services and decide if you want to hire us. 

Tucker Griffin Barnes - Where deep insight equals powerful advantage.

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Please contact Tucker Griffin Barnes in Charlottesville, VA, or Lake Monticello, VA, when you need legal advice.  We have helped people in many areas of the law, including those injured in an automobile accident, car accident, tractor trailer accident and on the job.

We are a full-service law firm and represent clients in matters ranging from personal injury, workers compensation, and Social Security Disability to criminal law, divorce, and real estate.

Our geographic reach is broad.  We provide legal services all over the state of Virginia, but especially to locations in our immediate area:  Charlottesville, Crozet, Ruckersville, Earlysville, Scottsville, Lake Monticello, Palmyra, Stanardsville, Barboursville, Gordonsville, Waynesboro, Albemarle Co., Greene Co., Madison Co., Culpeper Co., Orange Co., Fluvanna Co., Louisa Co., Nelson Co. and Augusta Co.

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