Virginia Family Law Blog | Miles Franklin Law

Spousal Support in Virginia: How Courts Actually Decide

Updated Sep 14, 2026

Spousal support is the part of a Virginia divorce that people most often assume works like child support, and it does not. There is no schedule to read the final number off of, no worksheet that converts two incomes into an award, and no bracket that says a marriage of a certain length earns a […]

Child Support in Virginia: How It Is Calculated

Updated Sep 08, 2026

Virginia sets child support with a statutory formula, not a judge’s impression of what is fair. How the guideline works, what counts as income, how shared custody changes the number, and what happens when payments stop.

Guardianship in Virginia: The Process, the Requirements, and What a Judge Has to Find

Aug 31, 2026

A guardian handles personal decisions and a conservator handles money. Virginia requires a circuit court petition, a mandatory guardian ad litem, a medical evaluation, and clear and convincing evidence of incapacity, and it directs the court to look for a less restrictive alternative first.

Property Division in a Virginia Divorce: How Equitable Distribution Actually Works

Aug 24, 2026

Virginia is not a 50/50 state. A judge classifies every asset and debt as separate, marital, or part of each, then divides only the marital share using the eleven factors in Va. Code 20-107.3. Here is how each step works, including the two valuation dates, the tracing rules, and how retirement is handled.

Estate Planning for Virginia Parents: Wills, Guardians, and Who Raises Your Children

Updated Aug 17, 2026

Virginia decides who raises your children and when they receive your money if you do not. Here is how a parent names a guardian, the six-month deadline that voids that appointment, the standby guardian designation that works while you are alive, and what a trust changes.

Adoption in Virginia: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families

Aug 17, 2026

Virginia routes adoptions through several separate tracks, each with its own consent rules, waiting periods, and paperwork. Here is how each one works, what the deadlines are, and what changes when the judge signs the final order.

Grandparents’ Rights in Virginia Custody Cases: What the Law Actually Allows

Jul 27, 2026

Virginia lists grandparents as a person with a legitimate interest, so they can petition for visitation or custody. Here is the actual-harm standard they must clear, the 2026 change for a deceased or incapacitated parent, and how to file.

Virginia Self-Defense and Castle Doctrine Laws: What Actually Holds Up in Court

Updated Jul 20, 2026

Virginia recognizes self-defense and the castle doctrine through court decisions, not statutes. A Stafford criminal defense attorney explains when force is justified, what changes inside your home, and what happens if a claim fails.

Prenuptial Agreements in Virginia: What’s Enforceable

Jun 30, 2026

Are prenups enforceable in Virginia? A Stafford attorney explains what a prenuptial agreement can and cannot do, what makes one hold up, and what can void it.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision on a VA Disability Claim?

Updated May 23, 2026

TL;DR: As of March 2026, the VA takes an average of 75.7 days to complete a disability-related claim (VA.gov). Individual claims range from 30 days or less (for a Decision Ready Claim) to more than a year for complex cases that need a C&P exam or an appeal. This guide walks Virginia veterans through the […]

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