Family law includes not only divorce, but also all issues involving children, such as child support, custody, visitation, adoption and guardianship, and other matters such as prenuptial agreements and separation and property settlement agreements. The attorneys at Arquilla & Associates, PLC have the legal background and practical experience to guide clients through this often very emotional and stressful area of the law. Our goal is to provide competent and timely legal representation to our clients at every stage of the process, keeping in mind that our clients usually want to minimize their legal expenses and costs. For example, in divorce cases, we recommend to our clients, when this is practical, that clients keep the lines of communication open with their spouses so that they can attempt to resolve the differences between them on their own, always advising them not sign any agreement with their spouses unless we have reviewed or drafted the document.
Every potential divorce case is different. Sometimes a client only has a marriage problem, and is just seeking legal advice on what might happen if a divorce is pursued. When a client has already made a decision to divorce, we provide advice on how to effect a separation if that has not already occurred or how to finalize a separation if the parties are already living apart. Sometimes the facts of a case may warrant an immediate filing for divorce on a so-called "fault ground," such as desertion, adultery, or cruelty, or a defense against such a divorce complaint that has been filed by the other spouse. Some cases involve negotiation of settlement terms before a divorce complaint is filed, and others involve negotiation after a divorce complaint has been filed. Some cases involve emotional issues involving the custody or visitation of minor children, while others involve the complex division of multiple parcels of real estate and other assets throughout the world.
No matter how complex a case may be, most divorce cases are settled with a separation and property settlement agreement — sometimes early in the process, or unfortunately sometimes in the hours just before trial. We attempt at every stage of the process to settle cases early on when proposed settlement terms are reasonable and acceptable to our clients, keeping in mind that we must always be preparing for litigation so that reasonable settlement terms will be forthcoming or reasonable terms may be proposed and finalized.
In all our divorce and child custody and visitation cases we advise our clients on practical goals and outcomes. We will not waste our time or our client's money on litigating proposed actions that are definite "losers." We understand the law, the courts, and the legal standards that will be applied, and will be honest with you on the likelihood of success on the goals you wish to pursue regarding property division, financial support, and child custody and visitation.
Almost all our clients at Arquilla & Associates, PLC are active duty, Reserve, or retired military servicemembers, or their spouses. Many are employed by the Federal Government. In our divorce cases, we are frequently called upon to address the division of military and government pensions, the award of survivor benefits, and the continuation of medical coverage. We understand these unique benefits and often advise other lawyers throughout the country on such matters.
Our clients are equally divided between men and women, most of whom reside in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. However, some of our clients or their spouses reside or are serving at distant locations in the United States or overseas. With modern technology, the distance of a client or his or her spouse from our office in Virginia is never a problem.
We work with women and men at all stages of contested and uncontested divorces, from the decision to file through trial or negotiated settlement to post-judgment motions for enforcement of existing divorce orders, including the enforcement and modification of existing child and spousal support orders, and child custody and visitation orders. We handle all matters related to or arising out of divorce, including:
- Child custody, support and visitation. We will help you establish and implement custody and visitation arrangements that are in the best interests of your minor children while protecting and maintaining your rights as a parent. We represent men and women in custody, visitation and support disputes, often handling cases where one of the parents lives in another part of the country or outside the United States. We work with clients at all stages of a custody, visitation or support matter, from the decision to file through requests for modification of existing orders. In custody and visitation matters, we will help you establish and implement an order that is in the best interests of your children, while protecting your rights as a parent. We will help you identify solutions that take the educational, medical and religious needs of your children into consideration, as well as any other special needs. We also represent men and women in paternity actions.
- Division of marital property. We will help you equitably divide the debts and assets of your marriage, including real estate, bank accounts and investments, retirement plans and military pensions, and survivor benefits.
We represent families in all proceedings related to adoption, including step-parent adoption. We will prepare all the required documents and act as your advocate in all hearings and proceedings in court.
We also advise men and women who are considering a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. If you are bringing significant assets into a marriage or have children from a prior marriage, we can help you put an agreement in place that protects your property in the event of divorce.
To schedule a free, 30 minute consultation, contact us or call us at 703-719-9292 or 800-220-8838. Our office is open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. until noon. We will also schedule an evening or weekend appointment upon request. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Serving Those Who Serve Our Nation - And Their Families
Law Office of Arquilla & Associates, PLC
6078 Franconia Road
Suite D
Alexandria, VA 22310-4425
Phone: 703-719-9292
Toll Free: 800-220-8838
Fax: 703-719-9290
Map & Directions
At the Law Office of Arquilla & Associates, PLC, we represent clients throughout the Northern Virginia area, including the City of Alexandria, and the counties of Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William and Stafford.
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