Divorce

Virginia Beach Divorce Lawyer

Experienced Legal Representation for Clients Near Hampton Roads, VA

Deciding to end a marriage is a significant and typically life-changing transition. Beyond the emotional weight, the legal process of dissolving the bonds of matrimony involves high-stakes decisions about your finances, property, and children.

At B. Clay Chick PLC, we understand the stress, uncertainty, and confusion that can arise when dealing with the legal process. Our firm has served a wide range of divorce clients in the Hampton Roads region since 2009, from those seeking an amicable process to clients facing highly contested issues.

For many families in Virginia Beach, the decision to contact a divorce lawyer is driven by very specific concerns: uncertainty about where you will live, how bills will be paid during the case, or what your day-to-day parenting time will look like. We take the time early in the representation to clarify priorities, gather the financial and custodial information the court will expect to see, and outline likely scenarios so you can make informed choices instead of reacting in crisis. By breaking the process into manageable phases, we help you move from feeling overwhelmed to having a practical plan that reflects your goals.

Attorney Chick and his team provide the steady, direct guidance necessary to navigate Virginia’s complex divorce laws. We work to make your divorce as efficient as possible while protecting your best interests; our goal is to help you move forward into a confident future.

Request a complimentary in-person or virtual consultation with our Virginia Beach divorce attorney by calling (757) 697-5331 or reaching us online.

Our Divorce Representation in Virginia Beach, VA

We handle all types of divorce, including:

Uncontested – Providing a streamlined, efficient path for couples who agree on all terms.
Contested – Assertive representation in the courtroom when disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation or mediation.
Military – Navigating the unique laws and complexities related to local service members and their spouses.
High net worth – Skillfully managing business valuations, diverse asset portfolios, and the latest high-income financial support guidelines.
Same-sex – Pursuing equal protection and advocacy for LGBTQ+ couples regarding parental rights and the equitable distribution of property.

For over 17 years, our firm has been a fixture in the local legal community, helping families navigate their most difficult life issues. Attorney Chick brings a genuine, deep-seated passion for helping his clients through challenging times.

We do not just process cases; we build trust through an immersive approach, advocating on your behalf from initial strategic planning through the final decree.

Mr. Chick is known for his ability to identify creative, effective solutions that are not always apparent at first glance. By drawing on years of local insight, our firm helps you resolve your case effectively with practical, realistic solutions.

While most cases are resolved through negotiation or mediation, our firm is never afraid to take your case before a judge if necessary or optimal for achieving the best possible outcome.

What To Expect When You Work With Our Firm

Starting a divorce can feel less daunting when you know what the process will look like from the very first call. When you contact our office, we begin by gathering background information about your family, finances, and any urgent concerns, such as safety issues or immediate financial needs. During the initial consultation, we walk through the steps typically involved in a Virginia Beach divorce, explain which court is likely to handle your case, and answer your questions in plain language. Our goal is to leave you with a clear sense of the road ahead and the decisions that will need to be made in the coming weeks.

If you decide to move forward, we work with you to assemble key documents and information so that filings with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court are accurate and complete. Throughout the case, we communicate regularly about court dates, settlement discussions, and next steps, so you are never left wondering what is happening or why. We also prepare you for mediation or hearings by explaining what the judge can and cannot decide, what evidence is useful, and how to present yourself effectively. This structured, start-to-finish support is designed to help you feel prepared at each stage rather than surprised by the process.

Over time, many clients find that having a consistent plan and a single point of contact for legal questions reduces conflict with a spouse and helps them stay focused on long-term goals. Whether your case resolves through a negotiated agreement or requires a contested hearing, we remain involved in the details until the final decree is entered and any follow-up issues, such as retirement account division, are addressed. By approaching your matter as a complete journey rather than a series of disconnected steps, we aim to protect both your immediate interests and your future stability.

Grounds for Divorce in Virginia

Virginia recognizes both fault and no-fault grounds. Most clients pursue a no-fault divorce, which requires living separate and apart without cohabitation for:

Six months - If you have no minor children and a signed property settlement agreement (PSA).
One year - If you have minor children.

Alternatively, fault-based grounds include:

Adultery
A felony conviction
Cruelty
Desertion

While fault-based cases can impact the timeline or property division, they require clear and convincing evidence.

When we meet with you, we review your history in detail to determine whether a fault-based filing is appropriate or whether a no-fault path will better serve your long-term goals. In some situations, alleging fault in Virginia Beach Circuit Court may influence negotiations or support requests, but it can also increase cost and conflict. We explain how courts typically view evidence such as text messages, bank statements, or witness testimony so you understand what will and will not help your case. This allows you to make a thoughtful decision about which grounds to pursue with guidance from a divorce attorney who knows how these issues play out locally.

Essential Issues to Resolve in Your Divorce

Before the final divorce decree is signed, four core areas must be resolved:

Equitable distribution of marital assets and debts; this is a fair but not necessarily equal division based on each spouse’s contributions to the marriage.
Child custody and visitation, establishing a plan that serves the child’s best interests.
Child support based on Virginia’s statutory formula.
Spousal support (alimony) is provided when requested and awarded.

If you face immediate safety concerns or a spouse is depleting marital assets, we can file for temporary orders. This allows the court to set enforceable support and custody orders while your divorce is still pending.

In many Virginia Beach cases, these four areas are interconnected, so a decision in one category can affect options in another. For example, a buyout of the marital home may change the need for short-term support, or a particular custody schedule may alter how child support is calculated. We walk you through different settlement scenarios and use plain language to explain how judges in our local courts tend to approach similar fact patterns. By understanding the range of likely outcomes, you are better positioned to choose between settlement and a hearing and to prioritize what matters most to you and your family.

How Long a Virginia Beach Divorce May Take

One of the first questions many people ask is how long their divorce will take from filing to final decree. The answer depends on factors such as whether your case is contested, how quickly financial information can be exchanged, and the court’s schedule. An uncontested matter with a signed property settlement agreement can often move through the Virginia Beach Circuit Court more quickly than a case involving disputes over custody, support, or business interests. We explain typical timelines for each stage so you understand when key decisions will be made and when you might expect a court date.

Contested divorces usually involve discovery, settlement conferences, and one or more hearings, all of which add time but can be critical for protecting your interests. We help you weigh the cost and time of extended litigation against the benefits of reaching a durable agreement now. Throughout the process, we look for opportunities to narrow issues through targeted negotiation or mediation so that only truly disputed matters require a judge’s decision. This approach helps many clients avoid unnecessary delays while still pursuing a result that makes sense for their family and financial circumstances.

No two cases follow the exact same path, but having a realistic sense of timing allows you to plan for housing, childcare, and financial obligations during the case. We keep you updated about any changes in the court’s scheduling and help you prepare in advance for each milestone, from temporary orders hearings to final divorce proceedings. By setting expectations clearly and revisiting them as your case develops, we aim to reduce surprises and give you space to focus on rebuilding life after the marriage ends.

Call B. Clay Chick PLC Today for Divorce Representation

When your family’s future is on the line, you need more than a legal representative; you need a strategist who is genuinely invested in your success. At our firm, we take pride in cutting through unproductive distractions to find the clear, creative solutions that others miss.

Let our passion for resolving cases and our family law experience in the Hampton Roads community work for you. Learn more about how the law impacts your case, your options, and how we can help by speaking with our Virginia Beach divorce attorney today.

Call (757) 697-5331 or complete our online contact form to book your free initial consultation with our experienced Virginia Beach divorce lawyers today.

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Thank you Clay Chick

"He is direct and straight to the point. Provided me the tools and resources I needed to handle my case."

I would recommend Clay. I've had no issues. He is direct and straight to the point. Provided me the tools and resources I ...

Anonymous
He Is Responsive

"I am very grateful for all that he did! I definitely recommend him if you need a lawyer!"

I had Mr. Clay Chick as my lawyer for child custody/ visitation and child support case. He helped me win the case. He is ...

Former Client
Very Knowledgeable

"Clay got our child custody issue immediately settled and had a great strategy to work with the opposing counsel to come to a fair agreement/order in a very tense and high stress time for us and treated me with a lot of respect during this hard time."

Clay got our child custody issue immediately settled and had a great strategy to work with the opposing counsel to come to a ...

Audrey
Great, On Time and Efficient

"I appreciate him and his assistant. If you need a lawyer who will work with you and not against you, it's him."

Mr. Chick took my case for child custody and worked out a payment plan with me. He has been amazing. He is great, on time and ...

Natalie

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