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West Virginia has introduced a significant change to child custody decisions with the enactment of the Best Interests of Child Protection Act of 2022. This new law impacts how family courts approach custody cases, shifting to a presumption that a 50-50 custody split is in the best interest of the child. While this is a […]
For over 50 years, no-fault divorce laws have offered a straightforward path for couples to dissolve their marriages without placing blame or proving wrongdoing. Enacted to simplify the process, these laws have been critical for domestic abuse victims and have eased the burden on already crowded family court systems. However, recent political discourse and state-level […]
Most residents of West Virginia and those around the country understand the importance of planning for the future and how their affairs will be handled after death. However, many fail to give estate planning the necessary attention it needs. Many may realize the need and the broad concept of making an estate plan, yet few […]
To say that property division is complex is an understatement, particularly in states like West Virginia that do not have community property rules. In West Virginia, courts start with the presumption that all marital property (property that the couple has acquired during their marriage) should be divided equally. There are, however, a number of factors […]
The consequences of divorce are far-reaching, and many struggling parents question whether it will be the best decision for their families. Of course, there is no cookie-cutter answer, and what is right for one couple may be devastating to another. Family law experts say that while some couples may wonder if staying together is better […]
When West Virginia families blend, it is possible that a child may develop a strong relationship with his or her stepparent. This bond can be frustrating because a stepparent typically has no legal rights concerning the children of his or her spouse. While the adoption of a stepchild can be a wonderful option in some […]
When you decide it’s time to grow your family, the next step is to begin looking into adoption. Adoption is one great way to help a less fortunate child grow up with a loving family. In West Virginia, any person can be adopted, but children and those over 12 must give their consent. For example, […]
The first day of the new school year often sets the tone for the months to come. A child who goes off to school in a positive mood may make a good first impression with teachers and attract similarly cheerful friends. A child whose first day of school starts with confrontation and negativity may be […]
Parents going through or considering a divorce have likely heard of the best interest of the child standard. This standard is a legal term which refers to the factors a court takes into consideration when making child custody determinations. What types of factors are taken into consideration? The list of factors can vary by state, […]
Joint child custody has its challenges, but if you and your spouse want to raise your child together despite your pending divorce, it can work for you. It’s important to remember that you’ll need to coordinate your schedules, have duplicates of some of your child’s items and learn to cooperate even if you have a […]
Couples considering marriage may have long conversations during which they share their hopes and fears about the future. Psychologists and other marriage experts suggest the same thing should happen when a West Virginia couple decides to divorce. Since divorce can bring many life-long challenges, it is wise to enter the process fully prepared, both emotionally […]
As long as relationships are made up of people, there will likely be no way to truly predict the causes of marriage breakups. Nevertheless, scientists, sociologists and other researchers seem to enjoy coming up with commonalities among couples who divorce in an effort to understand how to improve relationships and predict their ends. Psychologists and […]