Full question:
Me and my wife are separated, she has two children from her first marriage that I have not legally adopted. We also have some debt together and two vehicles one in each of our names. We will be getting a divorce, but VA requires a legal separation. Which which document do we need to file? Thank you for your assistance.
- Category: Divorce
- Date:
- State: Virginia
Answer:
The divorce process in Virginia starts with filing a divorce petition. If you want a separation agreement before the divorce, you can create one. Virginia law allows agreements between spouses, which can be incorporated into a divorce decree (Va. Code §§ 20-109 and 20-109.1). You can obtain a no-fault divorce after living separately for one year. If you have a separation agreement, no children from the marriage, and have lived apart for six months, you may also qualify for a no-fault divorce.
It's important to note that simply living in the same house but in separate rooms does not count as being separated. The court may also consider factors like the age or special circumstances of any children when determining support. For specific timelines, contact your local court clerk for information on their docket.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.