The trial court was not required to “equalize” the distribution of the assets or division of debts between the parties. Background Husband and wife were married on May 29, 1993, and separated on Sept. 1, 2014. On June 8, 2016, ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Randolph A. Beales Virginia Court of Appeals

Although the trial court erred in admitting psychological records about the mother’s condition at the time she was committed, the error was harmless because it did not go to the critical issue: the mother’s condition at the time of the ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge William G. Petty Virginia Court of Appeals

The trial court did not err in terminating a father’s parental rights where the record showed he was incarcerated during most of his daughter’s time in foster care, he only made contact once when he was out of jail, he ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Per Curiam Opinion Virginia Court of Appeals

The trial court enforced the parties’ separation agreement, which provided for monthly spousal support payments to end if the former wife entered into a long-term relationship. The appellate court rejected her appeal of the termination, finding that the two arguments ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Glen A. Huff Virginia Court of Appeals

A husband challenging the designation as wholly marital property a home that was retitled during the marriage failed to present evidence relating to value, equity and cost of repairs in order to determine the precise amount he separately contributed. Given ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Richard Y. AtLee Jr. Virginia Court of Appeals

A mother’s petition to change her minor child’s name by replacing her maiden name with the stepfather’s surname, while retaining the natural father’s surname, is approved. The change serves the child’s best interests because she is in therapy to deal ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge David Bernhard Virginia Circuit Courts

Where a husband purchased a home in Washington state with his former high-school girlfriend in March 2016, which was several months before he left the marital residence in July 2016, the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in granting ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge James W. Haley Jr. Virginia Court of Appeals

Because the father did not challenge the circuit court’s alternative basis for terminating his parental rights, meaning  those rights would remain terminated even if he prevailed on the issue he was appealing, the appellate court affirmed the lower court’s decision. ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Per Curiam Opinion Virginia Court of Appeals

The father’s failure to comply with the Department of Social Services requirements for counseling and the therapist’s recommendations supported the circuit court’s decision that he was not prepared to care for his child, who suffered from numerous medical conditions. Background ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Per Curiam Opinion Virginia Court of Appeals

After a divorcing couple reached an agreement about division of assets, a dispute arose over distribution of an IRA, refund of escrow fees and attorney’s fees. The court held the parties’ agreement, in which said they had resolved “all issues ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Teresa M. Chafin Virginia Court of Appeals