anonymous777
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia
I have just a few questions to ask before I start my divorce process. My marriage took place five years ago in Virginia. It was a very physically abusive relationship towards me from the onset, and two years ago I left Virginia and moved to California after a particularly severe incident. I have had very minimal contact with my wife in that two year span and have finally gotten settled enough to initiate the divorce process. I have just a few questions that I would like to know before I file:
1) I recall that in Virginia, a married couple needs to file for legal separation and then remain in that separated state for 1 year before divorce may be filed. Is that the case? We haven't legally resided together for over 2 years.
2) My wife has two children from a previous relationship and when we got married, I legally adopted them. Is there a way to mutually dissolve that, thus absolving my legal obligation?
3) Since I have been gone, the my wife has been getting money from the state of Virginia. I have been told that upon getting a divorce, I will be responsible for paying back the money to the state. I plan on filing for bankruptcy soon after my divorce procedings. Will I be able to add the money owed to the state to my bankruptcy case?
4) In order to save money, I had planned to file the initial divorce paperwork myself. I had heard that it's feasible that an individual can file their own divorce paperwork. I plan on retaining a lawyer if a dispute arises. Do you typically advise against an individual filing their own divorce paperwork, or can it work out?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
I have just a few questions to ask before I start my divorce process. My marriage took place five years ago in Virginia. It was a very physically abusive relationship towards me from the onset, and two years ago I left Virginia and moved to California after a particularly severe incident. I have had very minimal contact with my wife in that two year span and have finally gotten settled enough to initiate the divorce process. I have just a few questions that I would like to know before I file:
1) I recall that in Virginia, a married couple needs to file for legal separation and then remain in that separated state for 1 year before divorce may be filed. Is that the case? We haven't legally resided together for over 2 years.
2) My wife has two children from a previous relationship and when we got married, I legally adopted them. Is there a way to mutually dissolve that, thus absolving my legal obligation?
3) Since I have been gone, the my wife has been getting money from the state of Virginia. I have been told that upon getting a divorce, I will be responsible for paying back the money to the state. I plan on filing for bankruptcy soon after my divorce procedings. Will I be able to add the money owed to the state to my bankruptcy case?
4) In order to save money, I had planned to file the initial divorce paperwork myself. I had heard that it's feasible that an individual can file their own divorce paperwork. I plan on retaining a lawyer if a dispute arises. Do you typically advise against an individual filing their own divorce paperwork, or can it work out?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?