Divorce Attorney in Norfolk, VA, Finalizing Marital Dissolution Efficiently and Favorably in Ghent, Colonial Place, Larchmont, Downtown Norfolk, and Throughout Southeastern Virginia
Whether the breakdown of your marriage was gradual or sudden, facing the legal demands of the divorce process can be intimidating. As it is, this is a difficult transition that will permanently affect your family dynamics and home life, especially if there are children involved. The need to prepare and file forms with the court and sort out solutions to disputes over property, custody, and support payments can leave you with even more stress. You need a Norfolk divorce lawyer to guide you through the process, represent your interests at every stage, and provide peace of mind.
At The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, we’re here to serve and support our clients throughout the challenges of their family law matters. Contact us today to get started with an initial consultation and find out for yourself how having an experienced divorce attorney in Norfolk, VA, can get you through this legal process so you’re ready for the next stage of your life.
Understanding Divorce Proceedings in Norfolk, VA
Under Virginia law, divorce proceedings begin once one spouse files a Divorce Complaint in Circuit Court. As an independent city, Norfolk has its own Circuit Court, designated as the 4th Judicial Court of Virginia and located at 150 St. Paul's Boulevard.
Before a spouse can file for divorce in Norfolk, they must meet certain eligibility requirements. At least one spouse must have been a resident of Virginia for at least six months. If seeking a no-fault divorce, the spouses must have been separated for a designated period of time: generally, six months if there are no children or one year if the spouses share minor children. In certain instances, a spouse may file for fault-based divorce.
In Virginia, numerous decisions must be made before a court will issue a Final Decree of Divorce. If the spouses can’t reach an agreement on matters like property division, support obligations, or child custody, they must resolve these disputes through settlement negotiations, mediation, or a trial. Whether the divorcing spouses agree on these matters determines whether they are seeking a more straightforward uncontested divorce or a more complex contested divorce.
Types of Divorce Cases We’re Prepared to Handle for You
Different factors can shape how a divorce case progresses—such as the disputes that need to be decided and the measures you need to take to successfully resolve them. As a full-service Norfolk divorce lawyer, The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, has the skills, knowledge, and dedication to assist with all types of marital dissolution matters, including:
- Norfolk contested divorces
- Norfolk uncontested divorces
- Norfolk military divorces
- Norfolk divorces that encompass child custody, paternity, or child support disputes
- Norfolk divorces involving disputes over spousal support (alimony)
- Norfolk divorces with prenuptial or postnuptial agreements in place
- Norfolk divorces that involve domestic violence and protective orders
- Norfolk annulments
- Norfolk separations and formal separation agreements
From guiding you through the process of relatively straightforward proceedings to ensure quick, minimally stressful divorce finalization to sorting out complex disputes in high-tension contested cases, we handle it all. Our firm is here to provide the support you need to put this difficult time behind you and begin your next chapter.
Areas Served in Norfolk, VA
Families throughout Norfolk count on our firm for guidance, representation, and comprehensive legal support as they undertake the process of dissolving a marriage. We assist clients in every area of this independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, including neighborhoods and historic districts such as:
- Ballentine
- Barraud Park
- Bayview
- Berkley
- Broad Creek/Bowling Green/Roberts Village
- Calvert Square
- Chesterfield Heights
- Colonial Place
- Coleman Place
- Cottage Road Park
- Crown Point
- Diggs Park
- Downtown Norfolk
- East Ocean View
- Elizabeth Park
- Estabrook
- Fairmount Park Neighborhood
- Fort Norfolk
- Freemason District
- Ghent
- Greenhill Farms
- Highland Park
- Huntersville (also known as Hunters Village or Olde Huntersville)
- Ingleside
- Kensington
- Larchmont-Edgewater
- Lafayette/Winona
- Lafayette Shores
- Lakewood
- Lamberts Point
- Larrymore Lawns
- Lindenwood
- Lochhaven
- Meadowbrook
- North Ghent
- North Shore
- Northside
- Norview
- Ocean View
- Park Place
- Pinewell
- Poplar Halls
- Riverpoint
- Riverview
- Sewell's Point
- Sewell's Garden
- Shoop Park
- South Bayview
- Talbot Park
- Tidewater Park
- Titustown
- Villa Heights
- Wards Corner
- West Freemason
- West Ocean View
- Willoughby Spit
- Young Terrace
Our reach extends beyond the city limits. We also serve clients in adjacent cities and counties in Southeastern Virginia, including:
- Virginia Beach
- Suffolk
- Portsmouth
- Chesapeake
About Divorce in Norfolk, VA
As an experienced Norfolk divorce lawyer, The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, knows Virginia law and so much more. Our firm is familiar with the specific procedures used in Norfolk Circuit Court and how local factors, like economic concerns, impact divorce cases.
Why You Need a Dedicated Divorce Attorney in Norfolk, VA
When you’re facing the dissolution of your marriage, common missteps could impact the outcome of your divorce case. You need to avoid these mistakes if you’re going to walk away from this marriage with the resources you need to move forward.
- Don’t try to represent yourself in a divorce case: Although you may not be required to hire professional legal counsel, going without this guidance can leave you stumbling through the divorce process, leading to unnecessary delays in uncontested matters or risking unfavorable and unfair outcomes in contested divorces.
- Don’t put your case in the hands of a general practitioner: At Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, we’re dedicated to handling family law matters. While general practice firms may dabble in divorce law alongside other areas, we handle divorce cases of all levels of complexity day in and day out, with extensive knowledge of relevant law and legal procedures.
As your Norfolk divorce lawyer, The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, will provide comprehensive guidance and representation for every stage of the dissolution of your marriage. From assisting you with filing forms like the Divorce Complaint to facilitating solutions to the most contentious disputes complicating your divorce proceedings, we’re here for you at every stage of the legal process.
Why Choose The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, as Your Norfolk Divorce Lawyer?
Throughout Southeastern Virginia, clients choose The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, as their trusted divorce attorney in Norfolk, VA. Retaining our firm means gaining the benefits of an attorney trained in mediation who develops individualized strategies and provides compassionate representation for families going through the transition of divorce.
The Skills of an Accomplished Mediator on Your Side
Although our firm is confident in the courtroom, taking a divorce case all the way to trial has some drawbacks. Resolving your divorce disputes out of court, when possible, can save you time, money, and stress, all while allowing you to maintain greater control over the outcome of your case. With attorney Laura McQuesten’s skills as a mediator equipped to manage conflicts and de-escalate tensions even in emotionally-charged divorce matters, our firm provides a balanced perspective to help you move your case forward and make informed decisions.
Personalized Strategies That Fit Your Needs and Priorities
Different clients have their own individual priorities. Whether you care more about making sure your children can continue growing up in the marital home, fighting for every dollar of financial assets and support available, or resolving disputes amicably to preserve a relatively cordial relationship with a co-parent, your divorce agreement should reflect your goals. For that, you need a customized legal strategy, not a cookie-cutter approach. We craft personalized strategies for every client we serve, pursuing the best outcome possible as it aligns with your priorities.
A Genuine Focus on Families
The purpose of divorce isn’t to tear families apart, but to provide the foundation they need for the next chapter, one where the former spouses move forward independently while both still provide for their children financially as well as emotionally. Attorney Laura McQuesten approaches divorce cases with genuine compassion for the changes and challenges her clients’ families are going through, and her experience serving as a Guardian ad litem for children demonstrates her commitment to advocating for the children’s best interests in family law matters.
Contact a Norfolk Divorce Lawyer at The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, Today for Your Initial Case Evaluation
With our record of consistent client satisfaction and our efforts to make getting legal help for a divorce convenient, our firm removes the barriers that can keep families in Southeastern Virginia from getting the guidance they need. We offer flexible appointment options, so regardless of whether you prefer to meet in person, by phone, or via a video consultation, you have access to quality representation for family law matters on your terms.
For help from a divorce attorney in Norfolk, VA, contact The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, online or call 757-720-7516 today.