Virginia Separation Agreement Law Firm

Don’t let your spouse take advantage of you when preparing or agreeing to a separation agreement. We can ensure all of your interests are considered and protected.  Call us. We want to help.

Lynn A. Bradley – Divorce, Collaborative, and Family Law Attorney

Testimonials:

“I don’t think there are words to adequately convey how deeply I appreciate all that you [Lynn Bradley] have done for me over the years. The attention and care that you put into my case was exceptional. I think the really remarkable thing is that you always made me feel as though I was your only client. I could always count on you to respond quickly to every question, phone call or email. That level of service is extremely rare, and I cannot thank you enough. I am humbly and truly grateful for all that you have done for me.”

“I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for your [Lynn Bradley] help and guidance through this difficult time in my life. Although I cannot find enough words or ways to thank you, it is reassuring to know that there are good people like you in this world that are willing to help others. I will always remember and be thankful for what you did for me.”

“I retained Lynn Bradley as my divorce attorney approximately seven years ago. My case was a complex one. Lynn did not allow the complexities and many details to be covered to bog her down in any way. She was very detail-oriented, extremely organized and pleasant in all her dealings with me. A very confident attorney, she represented me in a highly professional manner and assisted me in achieving my goals in the case. Lynn Bradley is an honest, diligent and successful attorney.”

“I chose Lynn for my collaborative divorce process. Previous to contacting her I was using a traditional adversarial approach and was getting nowhere and draining my bank account. Working with Lynn was like a breath of fresh air in a very stressful and confusing time. She was able to move a process along that had been stalled and my ex and I were able to finally reach an agreement which we signed in her office. I would highly recommend her.”

“It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to review an attorney as exceptional as Lynn Bradley. The time and care that she put into my case was exceptional, particularly given its length and breadth. Even with carrying a full case load, she always made me feel as though I was her most important client. As for her organization skills, she is extremely detail-oriented and a quick-study, which was no small feat given the intricacies of my case. When I asked questions, I always found that she was knowledgeable, frank and truthful. I could always count on Lynn or her staff to keep me informed as to happenings with my case and to be responsive to my queries. On a personal level, I always found Lynn to be extremely compassionate and genuinely concerned about my needs. Lynn helped me to navigate what had been an extremely stressful and even painful case…she is always pleasant in all her dealings. I was proud to have Lynn represent me and I always felt extremely confident in her abilities and in her professionalism. Lynn is an excellent attorney and I highly recommend her.”

Contact us today for an Initial Consultation.  It’s the first step to putting your life back together.

Four frequently asked questions about VA separation agreements:

1. What is a Separation Agreement?

Unlike many other states, Virginia does not have legal separations granted by the courts. However, a husband and wife in Virginia may enter into a separation agreement. By use of such a document, a couple may agree to live separately and apart, and to divide their property and debts in a mutually acceptable way. Where the parties have minor children, they may also provide for child support, child custody, and visitation in their separation agreement.

Separation agreements usually provide that any divorce of the parties will be on the no-fault ground of separation of the parties. With such an agreement in place, once the parties have separated and lived apart for the appropriate time (six months with no minor children, twelve months with minor children), either party may then file for an uncontested divorce on the no-fault ground of separation. As usual, every situation is unique. It is highly recommended that each party have an experienced attorney review their separation agreement before either party signs.

2. 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:

• 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;
• The standard of living established during the marriage;
• The duration of the marriage;
• The age and physical or mental condition of the parties and any special circumstances of the family;
• 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;
• The contributions, monetary and non-monetary, of each party to the well-being of the family;
• The property interests of  the parties, both real and personal, tangible and intangible;
• The provisions made with regard to the marital property under section 20-107.3;
• The earning capacity, including the skills, education and training of the parties and the present employment opportunities for persons possessing such earning capacity;
• 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;
• 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;
• The extent to which either party has contributed to the attainment of education, training, career position or professional of the other party; and
• Such other factors, including the tax consequences to each party, as are necessary to consider the equities between the parties.

3. 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.

4. What is your fee structure?

We handle cases on a flat fee or hourly basis depending on the complexity of your case. We offer initial consultations at a reduced 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. We accept all major credit cards to assist with payment.

Your Next Step:

Contact us today – We’re ready to help.

We have four offices conveniently located in Charlottesville, Palmyra (Across from Food Lion), Staunton, and Harrisonburg, Virginia.