What Do You Need to Know Before Filing for Divorce in Virginia?
Your friend’s divorce is not your divorce. Your situation is not their situation. And what you saw on TikTok is definitely not how it works.
Attorney Shameka L. Rhoades of Trustice Law Group breaks down everything you need to understand before you file for divorce in Virginia. In this segment from ABC News Showcase, Shameka covers:
- Why every divorce is different and why comparing yours to someone else’s is a mistake
- What you need to know about your finances before filing
- How to set realistic expectations about what you can ask for
- What actually happens on the day you file
- How to plan ahead if children and property are involved
Watch the full segment below:
No Two Divorces Are the Same
One of the first things Shameka tells every client is this: your situation is not your friend’s situation. People walk into consultations with timelines and costs they heard from someone else. They quote TikTok. None of it applies.
Know Your Finances Before You Walk Into a Lawyer’s Office
Before you meet with an attorney, get clear on what bank accounts exist, what property was purchased during the marriage, what debts exist, what retirement accounts are involved, and where you want to live after the marriage ends. Knowing what you have and what you want are the two starting points.
Be Realistic About What You Can Ask For
Asking for everything while leaving your spouse with nothing is not a realistic expectation. Neither is asking for supervised custody and visitation simply because the marriage did not work out. Come in with a best case, middle, and worst case scenario written out.
What Actually Happens the Day You File
Filing for divorce means submitting a complaint for divorce to the court. The other party is served at a later date and then has the opportunity to respond. This is not an immediate process.
Planning Ahead When Children Are Involved
Think through custody and visitation arrangements, school zones, and living situations before filing. Courts focus on the child’s best interests, and coming in with a thoughtful, realistic plan strengthens your position.
Trustice Law Group: Virginia Family Law Attorneys Who Help You Start Right
At Trustice Law Group, we help clients across Virginia prepare for divorce with realistic expectations, clear financial knowledge, and a plan built around what actually matters. We are a female-owned Virginia family law firm.
Real Law. Real Talk. Real Options.
Request a consultation or call us at 804-593-0788.
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FAQs
What should I do before filing for divorce in Virginia?
Know your finances, understand what assets and debts exist, get clear on what you want for yourself and your children, and speak with an attorney before making any major decisions.
What happens when I file for divorce in Virginia?
You submit a complaint for divorce to the circuit court. The other party is served at a later date and has the opportunity to respond.
How should I prepare if children are involved in my divorce?
Think through custody and visitation arrangements, school zones, and living situations before filing. Courts focus on the child’s best interests.