News/FAQs

Hope Hutchinson has almost 10 years of experience handling cases just like yours. She is ready to help you through the difficult divorce process and the after-effects (i.e., child custody, support and visitation.)

We primarily handle family law cases, including divorce, child custody and visitation, spousal support, post-divorce actions such as modifications of custody and support orders, as well as adoption. We also maintain a general law practice for clients who need other services. To learn more about the kinds of cases we handle, see our practice area pages.

One party must be a resident of the state of Virginia for more than six months in order to file a divorce complaint. There are many factors that can affect the divorce process, such as the reasonableness of your spouse, and whether the issues are contested or uncontested.  However, you may proceed with finalizing a divorce after being separated for a period of one year or more.  In cases where there are no minor children and the parties have signed a property settlement agreement (also called a separation agreement), you can file for divorce after you have been separated for 6 months.

Yes: willful desertion and abandonment, cruelty, and adultery are all fault grounds for divorce. However, proof of your fault claim will be required, and you should discuss this with an attorney when you are planning to file for a divorce.