After your Virginia divorce, you will likely want to approach life with a fresh new attitude. Many times, a new look is part of a new life, so you might want to consider a makeover, even if dating after divorce isn’t on your radar just yet. 

Whether we like it or not, people judge us by our appearance. You shouldn’t allow society’s stereotypes and biases guide your self-esteem, but you should, if possible, make the most of what you have so that you can look and feel confident and successful: 

• start with a spa treatment that allows you to relax and unwind while getting skin treatments, manicures or pedicures;
• get a haircut that suits your face shape and hair type;
• invest in some well-fitting clothes and/or cool accessories; and
• purchase new skin care products and cosmetics that suit your age, skin type and coloring. 

Money can be tight following a divorce, but a makeover doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t have to change everything at once. Sometimes, just one significant change, or a few small ones, can be enough to leave you feeling beautiful and inspired. 

So, whether you’re planning on dating after divorce, starting a new career, or just shedding the skin of your old life, a makeover can be a great move. 

Contacting a Virginia Divorce Attorney 

The decision to file for divorce usually comes at the end of a long and painful journey. In addition to the emotional turmoil involved, there’s also a lot of fear and uncertainty about what the future holds. Concerns about children, mortgages, and even just paying the bills or buying groceries can easily become overwhelming. 

A Virginia divorce attorney at Hofheimer/Ferrebee can examine the specifics of your case to help you decide how much support to ask for, what child custody arrangement will work best for you and your children, and how to fairly divide your marital assets. Request a FREE copy of our divorce book for women in Virginia, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar – 757-425-5200.

After divorce in Virginia, you’re going to face many changes in your life. You’ve worked out the legal side of the process with your Virginia divorce attorney, and you’re dealing with shifts in home and finances as well.  This might seem overwhelming, but many women find that in the long run, the changes that come with divorce are positive. 

Finding your authentic self is one way to manage the transition from married to single life. Your authentic self is the person you are who is not defined by your role or your responsibilities. 

There are some useful strategies to help you find your authentic self. 

• Pursue your talents. Do you like to paint, make crafts, do web design, play a sport? If you have talents and hobbies that you have left on the shelf, it might be a good idea to give them another look.  
• Keep a journal. Journaling can help you process your feelings, track your progress and give you key insights to what you want and who you are. 
• Meditate. Meditation can be useful for finding your authentic self because it helps quiet busy inner thoughts. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy; just several minutes of scheduled quiet time can be helpful. 
• Consider therapy and/or support groups. Sometimes, you need a little inspiration from friends or guidance from a professional to find your authentic self after divorce in Virginia. 

Living a full life after divorce is possible. Just keep your options open and maintain a positive outlook. 

Contacting a Virginia Divorce Attorney 

The decision to file for divorce usually comes at the end of a long and painful journey. In addition to the emotional turmoil involved, there’s also a lot of fear and uncertainty about what the future holds. Concerns about children, mortgages, and even just paying the bills or buying groceries can easily become overwhelming. 

A Virginia divorce attorney at Hofheimer/Ferrebee can examine the specifics of your case to help you decide how much support to ask for, what child custody arrangement will work best for you and your children, and how to fairly divide your marital assets. Request a FREE copy of our divorce book for women in Virginia, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar – 757-425-5200.

Parenting after divorce requires patience, creativity, and perseverance. Having a good Virginia child custody arrangement can help ease some of the stress of divorce on you and your child, but you will still likely face a few challenges on the home front. 

It’s not unusual for a child to act out following their parents’ divorce. Kids can feel scared, anxious, angry and confused by all the changes happening around them, and some respond to these feelings by exhibiting difficult behavior. 

Sometimes, older children and teens might direct their anger toward their parents. This can be especially difficult for you when you are already going through a rough break-up and dealing with all the upheaval in your life and home. 

When parenting after divorce, it’s important to understand and recognize that your child’s feelings are normal. That way, you won’t take the anger and accusations too personally and you’ll be able to provide your child with comfort and direction. 

Kids just want to know that they are safe and loved and that things will turn out OK. It’s important to communicate with and reassure your child, and if necessary, to seek counseling for your child as well. 

The changes that come with divorce, particularly Virginia child custody arrangements, can take some adjusting. With time and support, your child can adapt to and thrive with the new parenting plan. 

Contacting a Virginia Divorce Attorney 

Our Virginia divorce attorneys care about your rights, the welfare and happiness of your children, and your financial security. Let us use our unique experience to help you focus on your goals for the future and your family. To learn more about Virginia divorce, request a FREE copy of our divorce book for women in Virginia, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar – 757-425-5200.

Getting divorced in Virginia requires thought and preparation. Speak with a Norfolk divorce attorney about your options, and take some other practical steps toward your goal. It’s wise to get some things in order before ending your marriage, so that you can be ready for your post-divorce life. 

• Get your own credit card, checking account and savings account. Having these things in your name will help you separate your finances from your husband’s and get you on the road to financial independence.  
• Be sure your kids are covered. If your kids have been covered by your soon-to-be-ex’s health insurance plan, they may likely be able to stay covered after your divorce. Many insurance policies have provisions allowing a court to order that the children stay on a plan.  
• Get your documents in order. Your Norfolk divorce attorney will need quite a bit of paperwork from you in order to get your case together. Keep your papers in folders and binders so that they stay organized and don’t get lost.  
• Make an educated decision about the marital home. Many people facing divorce hope to be awarded the marital home, but not all take the time to calculate the costs of keeping and maintaining the house. It’s best to sit down and figure out what it would cost you before proceeding. 

It’s wise to seek the counsel of a lawyer when dealing with the financial portion of your divorce. Your attorney can advise you along the way and help make sure your rights are recognized. 

Contacting a Norfolk Divorce Attorney 

Our divorce attorneys care about your rights, the welfare and happiness of your children, and your financial security. Let us use our unique experience to help you focus on your goals for the future and your family if you’re getting divorced in Virginia. To learn more about Virginia divorce, request a FREE copy of our divorce book for women in Virginia, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar – 757-425-5200.

If you’re facing a divorce in Virginia and you own a pet, you may have questions about pets and divorce. Which one of you will get to keep your pet? How does a court decide?

This can be a very emotional issue for many couples. Pets can bring so much joy and enrichment to our lives, it can be difficult to imagine having to share them or let them go.

It’s not easy for some pet owners to learn the courts view pets in terms of property. Like other items, they’ll be divided in a “fair and equitable” manner between the couple. Of course, because animals aren’t furniture or money but living things, the court may also take into consideration things like which party can better provide for the needs of the pet. (more…)

As Virginia Beach child support attorneys, one of the most common questions we get is about whether there is a statute of limitations for child support payments. Child custody and child support are two of the most contentious issues in a Virginia divorce. In Virginia, there is really no statute of limitations with respect to child support orders. As a parent, you can pursue your right to unpaid child support at any time – even after your child is emancipated. It is also important to remember that child support obligations are not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Remember, if you have not acted on your Virginia child support orders after going through a divorce, there is no need for concern. Since Virginia does not have a statute of limitations for child support, your court order will never expire. You have the legal right to collect unpaid child support when you are ready. Even if your ex-husband declares bankruptcy, he is still responsible for making those child support payments. (more…)

If you are a woman who is getting divorced in Virginia, it is important to be wary of some of the financial pitfalls of divorce. According to WIFE.org, each year, nearly 2.8 million men and women go through divorce in the United States. The article states recent studies show that in the first year after divorce, the woman’s standard of living drops by about 27 percent and the man’s may increase by up to 10 percent. These are interesting, yet disturbing numbers.

What causes women’s financial situation in general to dip in the aftermath of a divorce? Many factors may come into play here. The woman may have lost many important years of career growth as she stayed home to raise children. The child support she received just may not be enough to cover all costs. Given these unique post-divorce financial challenges, women would be well-advised to familiarize with the major financial pitfalls of divorce.

First and foremost, it is a good idea to start saving money as soon as the divorce process commences or even before that. Legal fees, court costs, therapist bills, new housing expenses – the bills can add up very quickly. Before you begin the divorce process, talk to a financial consultant. Do your research. Try to obtain copies of all financial records even before your divorce begins. Examples of important financial documents include tax returns, loan applications, credit card statements, property deeds and insurance policies. (more…)

For your Virginia divorce case to have the best possible outcome, it is critical that you and your Newport News divorce lawyer, work together as a team. It takes two to make your team a winning one. In this case, your attitude and approach can matter as much as your lawyer’s attitude and approach to your case. It is important that as a client, you are calm, business-like, and well-prepared. Ideal clients will be able to control their emotions, remain organized and listen to their attorney’s advice.

If you are getting divorced in Virginia, and have already retained a lawyer, it is in your best interest to understand the issues that will help build a successful professional relationship with your divorce lawyer. First, remember that you should contact your lawyer only about legal issues. The divorce lawyer is someone who will and should look out for your best interests. But, he or she is not your friend or confidante. (more…)

Facebook, Twitter or MySpace can be wonderful tools to connect with family members and friends. But, did you know social media can cast a deathly curse on your Virginia divorce case? It’s true. If you’re not careful what you post on Facebook, what you say or post on there could jeopardize or even destroy your Virginia divorce case.

According to a recent article in USA Today, more than 80 percent of divorce lawyers have seen an increase in evidence gathered from social networking sites such as Facebook. Divorce attorneys are combing these sites looking for dirt on the other side. There have been extreme cases such as a person finding out about their spouse’s “online affair” with an old flame or in some cases learning through a Facebook status update that their spouse filed for divorce! As Newport News divorce lawyers, we are seeing increasing evidence that social networking sites can seriously affect cases. (more…)

There is no question that social media websites such as Facebook are a good way to keep in touch with family members and friends. But, according to recent reports, including one by the American Academy of Matrimonial Layers, more than 80 percent of divorce attorneys polled for the study said the number of people using social media to engage in extramarital activity is on the rise. In fact, one in five marriages end because of Facebook. As Newport News divorce lawyers, we are seeing that such breakups have become a growing trend locally and nationally.

What’s the reasoning behind this trend? Extramarital relationships are fueled by opportunity and temptation. Facebook and other social media provide plenty of both. A classic example is when a married man or woman, initially out of curiosity, looks up an old crush or ex-boyfriend/girlfriend on Facebook. Once the connection is made, there is a good chance that the old flame will be rekindled. Facebook provides the temptation and opportunity for people to pay more attention to social media contacts than “real-time” connections, also known as family members or loved ones. Such obsessive behavior can deal a death blow to one’s marriage. (more…)