There are many different ways to get a divorce in Virginia; these include divorce by cruelly, divorce by desertion, divorce by adultery, and divorce by separation. 

All of these are fault-based divorce, except separation which is a no-fault-based divorce.

Divorce by separation is when the parties agree to live separately and intend to end the marriage for at least 6 months if the marriage has no minor children. 

If the marriage has a minor child, the parties must live separately with the intent to end the marriage for a full year. 

A divorce by separation goes smoothly as the parties agree on dividing marital assets, debts, and set up custody guidelines. 

To help make sure your divorce by separation goes smoothly, call a Virginia family lawyer at American Lawyers Group. § 20-91

Cruelty is much more than just being mean to your spouse. 

Divorce by cruelty is when one party to the marriage commits some criminal violence or the threat of violence against the other party and makes them feel unsafe in the marriage. 

Cruelty is usually linked to a criminal charge such as assault or battery.  If you have questions about divorce by cruelty, call a Virginia family lawyer at American Lawyers Group.

Divorce by desertion is when one party of marriage up and abandoned the marriage with no intent to return and no legitimate reason to do so. 

The leaving party stops contributing to marital debts and other essential marital duties.  Desertion can also be constructive. 

Constructive desertion is when your spouse stops contributing to marital duties such as withholding sex for no reason, refuses to maintain the marital residence, and fails to help with marital debts and bills. 

This behavior that forces you to leave the marriage is constructive desertion.  If you have questions about divorce by desertion, call a Virginia family lawyer at American Lawyers Group

Divorce by adultery is pretty straightforward.  If your spouse has sexual intercourse with someone outside of the marriage, you can get a divorce on that ground. 

However, you have to be able to prove your party had sexual intercourse with clear and convincing evidence as well as corroborating evidence.  This can be difficult, as adulterous tend to hide their escapades. 

Additionally, because adultery is technically a crime, the Fifth Amendment can prevent testimony. 

If you have questions about proving adultery, call our Virginia Family Lawyer at American Lawyers Group.

In Virginia, child support is a highly systematic and formulaic procedure. 

Both sides provide income and data for factors such as healthcare, daycare, and other costs. 

Then, the commonwealth uses a formula to determine what each parent owes based on the factors in the formula. 

If you have questions on child support, call our Virginia Family Lawyer at American Lawyers Group.