Michael J. Walsh
Legal Services 
Family Law
Family Law
| Virginia Peninsula Family Law Attorney |
Newport News * Hampton * Poquoson * Williamsburg * YorktownWhen trying to select the right family law attorney to represent your and your family's best interests, you want an attorney who is up front and honest with you; who will effectively represent you in a court of law; who is compassionate and understanding; and who will treat you with respect and dignity. The subject of family law involves being either proactive or reactive in legally resolving conflicts arising from domestic or family relations. The attorneys of Miller, Walsh & Kutz have extensive experience in Family Law matters including divorce (also known as dissolution of marriage), military divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support (alimony), separation agreements, marital property division, and other legal issues involving families.
Should I hire a Family Law Attorney?The firm of Miller, Walsh, & Kutz believes in the importance of consulting with an experienced and qualified family law attorney for major life changes. Our lawyers can assist in divorce, child custody and support, equitable distribution of assets, and other major family law issues. We work hard to achieve amicable and expeditious results and to bring family disputes to a final resolution.The attorneys of Miller, Walsh & Kutz also provide other legal services that technically fall under the umbrella of family law such as elder law, wills & trusts, probate and trust administration, and guardianship . DivorceNewport News - Hampton - Poquoson - York County Virginia Divorce LawyersThe divorce attorneys at Miller, Walsh & Kutz have handled all facets of family law issues, counseling individuals and families through the sometimes difficult procedures involved in contested and uncontested divorces in the State of Virginia. Our experienced divorce attorneys offer effective counsel for everything from simple non-contested divorces to the most complex contested cases. A divorce - or dissolution of marriage - often generates a number of related family issues that must be resolved, including spousal support or alimony; separation of marital property; child support; custody and visitation; and even post judgment modifications. In most divorces, what is considered fair and equitable depends on the facts of each individual case, and not surprisingly, is often viewed differently by the parties involved. The end result, however, is to reach a resolution- or a "fair and equitable" result. The hope is that this resolution is reached through the agreement of the parties, but if the parties are unable to do so by themselves, then the court will make these decisions for them. The decisions made during divorce or separation profoundly affect the parties and their children. Typically, joint custody of children, an equitable division of assets and liabilities, and in some cases spousal support paid by one spouse to the other for a determined period of time may be considered fair and equitable in a court of law. Military Divorce - Because the Virginia Peninsula region includes a high concentration of military installations and personnel from all branches of the service, the unique circumstances involved in a military divorce are also a focus of our practice. Virginia Marital Property DivisionVirginia law recognizes three broad categories of property. In general, “marital property” includes most property acquired during the course of the marriage; “separate property” includes property possessed by one spouse or the other before the marriage, as well as certain specific types of property obtained by one spouse during the marriage; and “part marital and part separate” or hybrid property, has some of the characteristics of both marital and separate property. A major part of a contested divorce procedure often performed by the court is the classification of property as marital property, as separate property, or as hybrid property. The court then determines an arrangement for the equitable distribution of this property. Divorce attorneys representing both parties will make their case regarding what parts of an estate are considered marital, separate, or hybrid property, and how to divide such property. Child CustodyThe lawyers of Miller, Walsh & Kutz provide skilled and compassionate counsel to clients concerning a wide range of family, child custody and/or visitation issues. Because this can be an emotionally charged area of family law, you need a caring and supportive atmosphere and a lawyer with proven legal ability and experience. Our attorneys handle a wide range of visitation and child custody matters, helping to determine what is in the best interests of the child based on factors including home environment, financial support, the mental and physical health of the child and the parents, and the relationships between the child and the child’s parents, siblings and extended family members. Regardless of the circumstances, with each case involving child custody and visitation, our lawyers work closely with our clients to ensure that we are best meeting their needs and wishes. Our attorneys work diligently to demonstrate to the courts the correctness of your position concerning child custody. Child SupportUnder Virginia child support laws, both parents are responsible for the financial support of their children until age 18 (or longer in certain circumstances). The Code of Virginia sets out a Schedule of Monthly Basic Child Support Obligations to be used to determine the appropriate amount of child support to be paid. Among many factors considered by the court when applying the Schedule are the combined income of the parents, the number of children to be supported, the amount of time children reside with each parent, the cost of work-related childcare, and medical considerations. Virginia Spousal SupportVirginia law takes several factors into consideration in determining the amount of spousal support (sometimes referred to as alimony), if any, that one spouse may be obligated to pay to the other. The amount and the duration of spousal support are influenced by factors such as the financial resources of each spouse, their ages, their physical and mental states, their respective financial contributions to the marriage, the length of the marriage, the standard of living established during the marriage, and in certain circumstances the relative degree of fault on the part of each party which contributed to the erosion of the marriage. The attorneys of Miller, Walsh & Kutz are experienced in fighting for what is fair and equitable based upon the circumstances of your case. |