Divorce Attorney in Portsmouth, VA, Resolving Disputes Through Mediation, Settlement, and Litigation in Cradock, Downtown, Olde Towne, Park View, and Throughout Southeastern Virginia
When a married couple begins divorce proceedings, there are often a lot of questions and concerns. What needs to be done to finalize the legal dissolution of the marriage? How can each spouse protect their interests? Retaining an experienced Portsmouth divorce lawyer is the key to making the legal process proceed as efficiently as possible while also pursuing an outcome that matches your individual priorities.
At The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, we handle divorce cases, along with a full array of family law matters, with both skill and compassion. We’re prepared for every possibility, from achieving cooperative settlements through negotiations or mediation to fighting for favorable outcomes in court. To find out the value a divorce attorney in Portsmouth, VA, can bring to your case, contact us today.
Understanding the Divorce Process in Portsmouth, VA
The essential steps in the divorce process in Portsmouth, Virginia, include:
- Filing a Divorce Complaint and related forms in Portsmouth Circuit Court (the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia)
- Resolving any disputes and preparing a formal agreement to submit to the court
- Finalizing the dissolution of the marriage through a court-issued Final Decree of Divorce
How your divorce process proceeds will depend on numerous factors.
In an uncontested divorce, in which both parties agree on decisions about dividing marital property, managing child custody, and establishing any support responsibilities, the process is more straightforward and typically quicker.
Drawn-out divorce proceedings usually involve contentious disputes over one or more of these decisions. Such cases are known as contested divorces, and the longer it takes to reach an agreement on these issues, the longer it takes for the divorce to be finalized. Over the course of a contested divorce, efforts to resolve disputes may include settlement negotiations, mediation, and litigation. If necessary, a contested divorce case may proceed to trial, where a court will rule on how the divorcing spouses will resolve the disputed decisions.
For every step of the divorce process, it helps to have knowledgeable legal counsel on your side. Our team assists clients in preparing to undertake the divorce process from an informed position, filing or responding to the Divorce Complaint, resolving disputes in or out of court, and getting the dissolution of their marriage finalized as efficiently and favorably as possible.
Types of Divorce Matters Our Family Law Firm Handles
The circumstances of your divorce affect everything from how your case proceeds through the legal system to what laws and regulations apply to your situation and the approach your Portsmouth divorce lawyer will take to resolving your case. At The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, we have experience supporting our clients through all types of divorce proceedings, including:
- Portsmouth contested divorces
- Portsmouth uncontested divorces
- Portsmouth military divorces
- Portsmouth divorces involving child custody, paternity, or child support disputes
- Portsmouth divorces involving spousal support disputes
- Portsmouth divorces affected by prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
- Portsmouth divorces involving domestic violence and protective orders
- Portsmouth annulments
- Portsmouth separations and formal separation agreements
You need your case in the capable hands of a firm that recognizes the nuances of each type of divorce and is prepared to advocate for your best interests in the face of every challenge.
Areas Served in Portsmouth, VA
Our firm serves families in every neighborhood and historic district of Portsmouth, including:
- Academy Park
- Alexander Corner
- Armistead Forest
- Cavalier Manor
- Churchland
- Cradock Historic District
- Downtown
- Midtown
- Olde Towne Historic District
- Park Manor
- Park View Historic District
- Pinner Point
- Port Norfolk Historic District
- Prentiss Park
- Shea Terrace
- Swimming Point
- Truxtun Historic District
- West Norfolk
- West Park Homes
- West Park Manor
- Westhaven
- Westhaven Park
- Westmoreland
- Westwood
- Williams Court
- Windy Pines
- Woodbine
Additionally, our extensive knowledge of military divorce regulations and procedures is valuable for families in and around Portsmouth, which has longstanding links to the United States Armed Forces, especially the Navy.
We also assist clients in adjacent cities and counties throughout Southeastern Virginia, including:
- Virginia Beach
- Suffolk
- Norfolk
- Chesapeake
About Divorce in Portsmouth, VA
In Portsmouth and throughout the larger Hampton Roads metropolitan area, our firm is here to provide the guidance clients need to streamline the process of legally dissolving a marriage with as little stress, delay, and unnecessary cost as possible. As your Portsmouth divorce attorney, our goal is to secure the best outcome for your family, with solutions that align with your individual priorities.
What to Expect When You Work With Our Divorce Attorney in Portsmouth, VA
Retaining a Portsmouth divorce lawyer at The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, to assist you in family law proceedings means never having to face the legal process alone.
We represent you in negotiations and hearings, advocate for an outcome that aligns with your goals, and provide peace of mind throughout the divorce process. With our firm managing your case, you no longer have to worry about following specific legal procedures, filing the right forms, or accepting a settlement agreement that has unintended negative consequences on your life. You can focus on rebuilding your life and determining what you want out of your next chapter instead of the distractions of managing the legal process.
Our firm is known for providing compassionate client service with personal attention, as well as customized legal strategies focused on achieving solutions that meet your needs.
Why Choose The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, as Your Portsmouth Divorce Lawyer?
For a divorce lawyer who provides dedicated client service without passing you off to junior practitioners, detail-oriented case preparation, and skills spanning mediation and litigation, The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, is the clear choice.
Direct Access to Your Own Dedicated Divorce Attorney
When you choose our family law firm to handle your divorce case, you won’t have to worry about being passed off to a paralegal or junior associate with less experience—and the outcome of your divorce case suffering as a result. You’ll work directly with attorney Laura McQuesten, a dedicated advocate with a reputation throughout Southeastern Virginia for putting clients’ needs first. Laura’s excellence in legal practice has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers (Top 40 Under 40), Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, and Super Lawyers (Rising Stars).
Attention to Detail and Careful Case Preparation
Success in a divorce case—that is, efficiently resolving disputes in ways that protect your interests so you can get your divorce finalized faster without giving up what matters most—demands diligent case preparation. Whether you’re seeking spousal support, fighting unreasonable alimony requests, or pursuing a property distribution arrangement that ensures you can keep what’s rightfully yours, you need to put forward a strong case. Through our detail-oriented investigation and strategies informed by your individual priorities, we prepare an effective case for the outcome you’re seeking.
The Benefits of a Balanced Perspective of Mediation and Litigation
Some divorce cases are successfully resolved through settlement or mediation, where negotiation skills and creative problem-solving matter most. Others go all the way to trial, where you must present a strong argument to persuade the court to rule in your favor. With her accomplishments as both a mediator and a litigator, attorney Laura McQuesten brings to each case a balanced perspective. Whatever path your divorce proceedings take, all options are available to you. We’re just as confident fighting for our clients in the courtroom as we are in strategically seeking out-of-court agreements.
Contact a Portsmouth Divorce Lawyer at The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, Today for Your Initial Case Evaluation
Our firm provides the personal attention and customized legal strategies that make all the difference in a divorce case. Find out for yourself how the support we provide makes the divorce process less stressful while protecting your rights.
For help from a divorce attorney in Portsmouth, VA, contact The Law Office of Laura L. McQuesten, PLLC, online or call 757-720-7516 today.