Pender & Coward's Family Law Division combines its extensive experience to provide representation to provide maximum benefit to its clients in today’s complex world, while preparing them for the changes that will inevitably occur in the future. Individuals whose lives are in turmoil due to separation or divorce often face issues of child custody and visitation, support (both child and/or spousal), equitable distribution of marital property (often involving the sale or purchase of residences and businesses and obtaining experts to evaluate assets), and the preservation of separate property. This may also include issues involving commercial real estate, condominiums, time shares, like-kind exchanges, mergers and acquisitions, syndications, private offerings, franchising, corporate buy-out agreements, and non-competition and secrecy agreements which are often involved in complex equitable distribution cases.

Later, there may be changes in circumstances which require increases or reductions in custody, visitation or support. In Tidewater, relocation is often a significant change in the lives of all involved.  Our Family Law Division has extensive experience in all of these areas.

Family Law is not always about dissolving relationships.  It also involves the positive expansion of families through the process of adoption, whether step-parent adoptions, parental placement or complex international adoptions.  Again, our attorneys put their extensive knowledge and experience to work for you in these positive life events.

Often, good planning can avoid future conflict.  Our attorneys have vast experience in evaluating and drafting Pre-marital and Marital Agreements, Whether you are young and starting out, or later in life with significant separate assets and special needs, good estate planning is essential as life’s circumstances change.

Our Family Law team is able to draw upon the experience of our attorneys in related areas to evaluate the value of assets and businessesand to guide you in preparing new wills and trusts to fit your changing needs. In fact, three of our estate and trust attorneys are rated among the "Super Lawyers" in their field.

As you can see, Pender & Coward’s Family Law attorneys are superbly equipped to help you, from the most basic to the most complex of issues. Please let us know how we can assist you.