Jefferson County, West Virginia, Family Law Blog

Sometimes, parents have issues or obligations that make it necessary for a grandparent to step in and help with children. Other times, grandparents may have issues with their child or their child’s spouse that make it difficult to visit with their grandchildren.

West Virginia law recognizes visitation rights for grandparents. Courts can order a custody or visitation arrangement to grandparents, depending on the circumstances. Read on to learn more about the factors considered when courts make custody and visitation decisions involving grandparents.

Property, assets and personal items often have significant emotional value to the owner. However, few people in West Virginia realize just how strongly they feel about their things until they are in the middle of a divorce. Property division can be one of the most contentious issues you will deal with when ending your marriage. 

Although it may feel difficult or even impossible, separating your emotions from the task at hand is important during this process. An easy way to engage in the property division in this manner is to simply set out identifying marital property and separate property. Separate property is anything that is solely yours, such as items you obtained before marriage or were gifted later on. 

Delaying marriage in favor of advancing a career is perhaps as millennial as it gets. Many people in West Virginia want to have a more secure job and stronger financial foundation before tying the knot, which is understandable, but it can present problems. What is a person to do when he or she brings significant assets into a marriage? For most, a prenuptial agreement that addresses property division is the smartest approach. 

A whopping 71 percent of millennials told Wakefield Research for Graebel that they would put off marriage if it meant they could relocate to a more desirable location for their jobs. Another 72 percent reported they would wait to have kids for the same reason. This attitude is a defining feature of the millennial generation, as they work to build their careers and acquire essential life assets, like retirement savings. The idea of suddenly having to take something an individual worked for years to achieve and split it up during divorce is disconcerting. 

Do you have a long commute to work? Spending 90-plus minutes each day in your car can be a pain. Not only may it make you irritable, it means you have less time for your kids, and it can make date night with your spouse nearly impossible. Don’t let your small case of road rage infect the rest of your life.

Too much traveling can put a strain on a marriage. One study conducted in Sweden found that rates of divorce could be connected to the length of couples’ commutes. Specifically, those driving 45 minutes or more one-way are more likely to have marital trouble. The research suggests that the frustration of a long commute is bad for a marriage.