How Will the Judge View Your In-Home Separation in Virginia? Not Well

In-home separation in Virginia might be an option for some divorcing couples but it's not a choice that's recommended in most cases. It's not something that most family court judges view favorably and a divorcing couple should be aware of the guidelines and drawbacks involved.

A traditional separation is when partners move into separate living quarters and begin to prepare for single life as they work out the conditions of their divorce. Things are a lot trickier when the separated couple is living under the same roof and this blurry line between "together" and "apart" is the primary reason that judges, in general, view in-home separation in an unfavorable light. 

Dealing with In-Home Separation in Virginia

If it turns out that in-home separation is an option for a couple, there are some very specific guidelines they will need to follow:  

• make sure that friends, family and associates know you are no longer a couple;
• maintain separate bank accounts;
• have their own telephones for personal and business use;
• avoid sexual intimacy with each other;
• manage their own respective living areas;
• cease sharing meals together, except for on holidays and children's birthdays; and
• have an objective third party occasionally visit to observe your living arrangements to confirm you're living separately. 

It's clear that in-home separation in Virginia isn't for everyone. You should seek the advice of your Virginia Beach divorce attorney to decide whether it's an option for you.

Contacting a Virginia Beach Divorce Attorney

The decision to file for divorce usually comes at the end of a long and painful journey. In addition to the emotional turmoil involved, there's also a lot of fear and uncertainty about what the future holds. Concerns about children, mortgages, and even just paying the bills or buying groceries can easily become overwhelming.

A Virginia divorce attorney at Hofheimer/Ferrebee can examine the specifics of your case to help you decide how much support to ask for, what child custody arrangement will work best for you and your children, and how to fairly divide your marital assets. Request a FREE copy of our divorce book for women in Virginia, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar - 757-425-5200.