An uncontested divorce is available when both spouses agree on all issues, including property, debt, custody, visitation, and support. In Virginia, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months or more. You must also be separated for one year before filing, or six months if there are no minor children and you have a signed separation agreement.
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Besianne Tavss Maiden
Besianne Tavss Maiden
Besianne is a lawyer that exudes the foundational nuggets of what it means to be a true crusader for justice. She removed the formality of what is considered norms for a legal relationship and met me where I stood—as a mother fighting for their child. Besianne is one of a kind and a true trailblazer for her clients ensuring to build upon the truth, honesty and integrity. From past experiences with seeking legal counsel, I have never met someone quite like Besianne for she counseled with genuine concern for the best interest of my child and grandchild using great tenacity and will to ensure that the truth would surface in its true essence. Words can never begin to express my gratitude nor level of respect I have for Besianne and the barrier breaking work she performed. She provided comfort and assurance throughout the process to which my trust or confidence never wavered. Her pleasant and straightforward mannerisms dried many tears and effectuated great smiles!
~Monica
When a client calls here, that could be the single most important thing in their day, their month, or even their year. I feel privileged to be able to help people the way we do.
Besianne Tavss Maiden followed her dad into the legal field, and has been practicing law with this firm since 1991. She specializes in family law matters, which include divorce, custody and child support, but she also routinely handles personal injury cases, traffic and criminal matters, collections and other general legal matters.
Ms. Maiden is a lifelong resident of the Tidewater area. She graduated from Norfolk Collegiate High School in 1984, Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland in 1988, with a degree in French and Pre-Legal Studies, and obtained her J. D. from The T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in 1991.
I try to help clients ‘create good facts.’ I had a woman who had lost her children in a divorce, but we met every six months or so for a while and I advised her on making good decisions and creating good facts. When it was time, she filed and I helped her get her kids back.
After an extensive training process, Ms. Maiden is one of only a few local attorneys trained in Collaborative Law, a newer alternative dispute resolution option in Family Law. Ms. Maiden is also a member of the Norfolk & Portsmouth and Virginia Beach Bar Associations, Virginia State Bar, and Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is an uncontested divorce?
2. How much does it cost to get a divorce?
There is no set cost for a divorce in Virginia. The total depends on whether the case is contested or uncontested, the number of issues to resolve, and the amount of legal work required. In addition to attorney fees, court filing fees vary by county, as do costs for serving papers or preparing documents. Contested divorces generally cost more because they take longer and may require multiple hearings.
3. What types of custody are there?
Virginia has legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is the authority to make important decisions about a child’s education, medical care, and upbringing. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and who provides their day-to-day care. The court can give either type to one parent alone or have both parents share it.
4. How long will the custody process take?
There is no fixed timeline. If parents agree, they can resolve a custody case in a few months. Disputes, evaluations, or multiple hearings can make the process take longer. How long a case takes depends on how much evidence the parties must gather, whether the court appoints a guardian ad litem, and how busy the local court is.
5. Will I have to go to court?
If you and the other parent agree on all issues, the court can approve your custody agreement without a full trial. If you cannot agree, you will need to go to court so a judge can decide. How many court appearances you have depends on how the parties and the court handle the case.
6. What’s the custody process?
A custody case usually involves petitioning the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The process can include temporary hearings, mediation, or the appointment of a guardian ad litem. If parents cannot agree, the case goes to trial, where both sides present evidence, and a judge decides based on the child’s best interests. Either parent can appeal the decision to the Circuit Court for a new trial.
Testimonials
HERE'S WHAT SOME OF OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT TAVSS FLETCHER.
I thought it was going to be more like strictly business, but Tavss Fletcher went the extra mile for me.
~Dennis Midgette
I was in an accident. Another car hit me on the passenger side, and I was seriously injured. I had lip lacerations, concussion, and I knew right away I needed a lawyer. So, I called Tavss Fletcher.
~Iyanna Bray
If I had a friend that needed legal advice, I would ask them to go see Bes. She’s my friend, my lawyer.
~Benjamin Hudgins
Dixcy was seriously injured when an 18 wheeler forced her car off the road. It took six months to discover how serious.
~Dixcy
It was a he said, she said accident. Tavss Fletcher helped him get the last word.
~Clarence
Tavss Fletcher helped me with small legal matters before, so when my 17-year-old son was in a car accident, I knew exactly who to call. Tavss Fletcher is like my insurance policy against anything.
~Cheryl
After I was hit by a drunk driver, I was dealing with a serious knee injury. John Fletcher took care of everything, and I didn't even have to go to court.
~Kelsey Barbour
After my injury, I had to have "Tommy John" surgery. Richard Tavss made sure the insurance company would pay for it. Now you should see my curve ball.
~Keith Lawrence
My kids were OK, but I wasn't. The insurance company said I didn't need a lawyer. I'm glad I didn't take their advice.
~Targelia Belin
Tavss Fletcher was wonderful. They encouraged us to not give up hope. I have no worries now that the settlement is over. John Fletcher helped me start a new life.
~Pam
Tavss Fletcher helped me get the best settlement I could have ever hoped for. They are really commited to personal injury.
~Andrea
I went to Tavss Fletcher for legal advice and I got much more.
~Jeff
John Fletcher had answers to all my questions. He worked nights and weekends preparing me for court. His staff was very helpful with all the paperwork needed. John Fletcher is a lawyer I would refer to anyone who is being bullied by large insurance companies or in need of a great lawyer. You can’t go…
~Anonymous Client
Annamarie brings sunshine to a dark and scary divorce. Annamarie controls the horizontal and the vertical. She is the greatest!
~Elle
[Annamarie] has literally been my right hand throughout this entire process, she has ALWAYS given me great advice, she constantly reassures me that they have my back, not to worry, and I don't!! Annamarie is one of good character, she is easy to talk to, she's very empathetic, resourceful, smart, funny, and just a good…