Family Law Resources

Prenuptial Agreements and Engagements

Learn what the benefits of getting a prenuptial agreement are

What are the benefits of getting a prenuptial agreement?

When people hear “prenup,” they often think “divorce.” And while soon-to-be-newlyweds may not want to think about getting a prenup as their wedding day approaches, the agreement can provide financial protection in the long run. Learn more.

How to talk to your fiancé about a prenuptial agreement

How to talk about prenuptial agreements with your fiancé

It’s the question you ask sometime between the big proposal and the walk down the aisle. “Can we get a prenuptial agreement?” It may be awkward at first, but the issues in a prenuptial agreement are usually the financial issues that couples need to discuss before getting married and combining finances—or not combining finances. Learn more.

Prenuptial vs. postnuptial agreements: what is the difference?

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are both helpful for protecting assets and setting clear financial responsibilities in a marriage. But what’s the difference, and when is each one right for you?

Divorce

5 Tips for Talking to Your Children About Divorce

What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia?

It’s a question family law attorney Rebecca Wade gets all the time: What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia? In this week’s FAQ Friday, Wade explains the difference between fault-based divorce and no-fault divorce.

Financial Considerations for Divorce

What financial records should you gather before filing for divorce?

While everyone’s situation is unique, family law attorney Jessica Leischner explains that having full knowledge of your financial records and situation is a critical step in a divorce. Leischner weighs in on what records you need and the avenues you can take to collect them.

What can we learn from Bill and Melinda Gates’ divorce?

Lessons we can learn from Bill and Melinda Gates’ high-net-worth divorce

Headlines sizzled with the news that mega-wealthy couple Bill and Melinda Gates planned to divorce. Family law attorney Carolyn Grimes weighs in on some of the legal issues and questions the high-profile split raised.

Child Custody and Visitation

How courts determine child custody: what you need to know

Courts must determine what is in the best interests of the child. In order to do this, the Court applies a number of factors. Understanding these factors will help parents prepare and advocate for their child or children.

Relocation & Child Custody Considerations

Relocation and child custody 101

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not child custody relocation is right for you and your child. Family law attorney Jessica Leischner explains these child custody considerations

Marijuana & Child Custody in Virginia

Does smoking marijuana affect child custody in Virginia?

With so many legal uncertainties surrounding the new law, many are left asking “How will this affect my custody case?” From drug testing to navigating the law in varying jurisdictions, partners at Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner, breaks down the implications of marijuana legalization in Virginia child custody cases.

Child Support and Alimony

Child support modifications: what you need to know

Child support is essential for meeting a child’s financial needs after parents separate or divorce. However, life circumstances can change, and the original child support arrangement might no longer reflect your current situation. So, the question becomes: what are the legal requirements to modify child support?

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support

Child support 101

Child support is a complex legal issue that can involve numerous factors including income, healthcare costs, child care costs, number of children involved, employment status, and more. In this week’s FAQ Friday, Carolyn Grimes, partner and attorney at Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner PLLC, discusses these matters as they relate to child support.

Domestic Violence

What is High-Conflict Family Law?

What is high-conflict family law?

Attorney Jessica Leischner explains what high-conflict family law cases involve and the stakes impacting both sides. Learn more.

What is Virginia's Shall Arrest Statute?

What is Virginia’s shall arrest statute?

Millions of people fall victim to domestic abuse in the U.S. each year. Partners at Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner PLLC discuss Virginia’s shall arrest statute.

No-Contact Bond Conditions

What are no-contact bond conditions in domestic violence cases?

In cases of domestic violence, magistrates often place as a condition of bond that the alleged aggressor is not allowed to have any form of contact with the alleged victim. Partners at Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner PLLC explain what that means for individuals charged with domestic violence and the potential consequences of breaking the bond condition.

Learn More About Our Family Law Attorneys

This is a photo of Carolyn M Grimes. She is a family law attorney at Old Town Lawyers.

Carolyn M. Grimes

This is a photo of Jessica Leischner. She is a family law attorney at Old Town Lawyers.

Jessica L. Leischner

David Hagan

Connect With a Family Law Attorney

For more than three decades, spouses and parents throughout Northern Virginia, including Alexandria and Fairfax, have turned to our family law attorneys for advice about a wide variety of legal matters. Learn more about how we can help you with family law issues here.

When you’re ready to call, we’re ready to help. Call us at 703-836-9030 or contact us below.

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