Virginia Family Law FAQs

Our Family Law Philosophy for Virginian Families

 

What do we mean by redefining the family law practice in Virginia?

Burroughs Law Office, P.C. (dba) Frugal Legal Services is committed to redefining the family law practice. We understand that your issues don't magically disappear when the final decree is entered by the judge and your divorce is final. When children are involved, this is all too evident. A divorce only serves to create a new and different relationship that couples are often unprepared to deal with. It is certainly the exception to the rule for spouses to part ways amicably without any lingering issues.

As stated in our mission statement, we look beyond divorce as the one-size-fits-all solution to problems within the modern-day family. We are, however, realistic and realize this is the sad reality for a large number of families. Many family law attorneys focus on providing a product. They sell divorce like something you'd pick up at your local department store rather than working with you through all the issues toward a comprehensive solution to the problem. We see evidence of this throughout our society, from over-medicated teens with half-diagnosed ADHD to the uncontested divorce-within-a-week firms pushing a product for a buck.

Divorce is too commonplace and is rarely the easy way out most people think it is. There are often children involved, marital assets to divide, and sacrifices made during the marriage that no amount of money can account for. Divorce is not a quick-fix pill. People facing divorce need comprehensive plans for how they will function once the decree is entered and the divorce is final. Life still goes on, and if we're not properly prepared, the struggle will continue when it may have been diminished.

These are the reasons we focus on a number of cursory practice areas for families in need. We help defend adults and juveniles charged with crimes in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These are, after all, precursors to even larger problems in people's lives, which often have the greatest impact on the stability of the family unit. We also handle basic estate planning functions for our family law clients in order to address the changes that have or likely will occur in their lives. Any life event warrants a look at your estate plan, and most of what we deal with are such life events.

We believe this holistic approach to handling your family law matters will serve your interests by addressing your immediate need for relief and your long-term need for direction and guidance. For the foregoing reasons, we limit our practice to the traditional functions of family law (including child custody, visitation, support, and divorce), criminal defense, estate planning, and bankruptcy. Our ultimate goal is to help head off divorce at its source. And while we realize it isn't always possible and that divorce may be inevitable, or even necessary in some cases, we won't give in without a fight. That's why we include non-traditional practice areas in our family law practice. We're committed to Redefining the Family Law Practice© because there's so much more to family law than divorce.

Legal Fees

How much will it cost?

For detailed information on our fees, please call to schedule an appointment. Flat-rate and hourly fee schedules are available and vary based on your particular issue.

The following is a brief overview of our fee schedule and is for general information only:

Virginia Family Law

All expenses, court costs, and fees are paid separately unless otherwise indicated. They are generally included in our flat-fee work through Frugal Legal Services. Private investigators used upon client approval and at the discretion of counsel are not included in the fees quoted above. Flat fee rates and deposits are paid in advance of work performed. Flat fees quoted are not offered in conjunction with our hourly rate; rather, they are offered in lieu of such rates when no other hourly work is performed. A refundable deposit is required for all flat fee matters in addition to the prepaid legal fee. Please call (757) 363-0077 for more details.

How does flat-fee billing work? Am I a good candidate for it?

Burroughs Law Office, P.C. (dba) Frugal Legal Services offers flat fee billing on all matters. This includes both uncontested and contested cases. The fee will be quoted after an initial interview to determine the scope of the representation and the work to be performed. If your case takes longer through no fault of your own, you will not pay more for your attorney's services. You can call as you like, and we will meet as needed for representation. You won't have to worry about how much that call just costs you or how much research is needed for your case. There are no hidden fees, and everything will be outlined in the representation agreement. You'll know the cost of legal representation upfront and won't have to worry about not knowing how high the tab will be in the end.

In general:

Most matters are broken down into several phases. These phases include discovery, pleadings, and court appearances, to name a few. You pre-pay for the phase you are about to enter into, and the work is performed. Once the phase is completed, you will have a few options. If your case is proceeding as planned, you will pay for the next phase, and the work will continue. If, however, the case is settled, you will not proceed to the next phase, and our work is done.

We keep things simple and affordable. If you prefer to pay for billable hours, you can still exercise this option. Our goal is to remain flexible because we know how unique your circumstances may be.

What forms of payment do you accept?

As a convenience for our clients, Burroughs Law Office, P.C. (dba) Frugal Legal Services accepts cash, checks, check cards, and most major credit cards:

  • MasterCard

  • Visa

  • Discover

  • American Express

  • PayPal

  • Venmo

  • ApplePay

  • GooglePay

  • Check (ACH)

Online Famiy Law Resources for Virginian Families

Do you offer any online services?

We offer a number of online legal services, including uncontested divorce and step-parent adoption. Of course, we do not simply provide you with legal documents and leave you wondering what to do with them. We draft, file, and follow through in every case for which we are specifically retained. If you need to speak with an attorney, you can pay by the hour for that time. In the end, you will likely save thousands of dollars.

What are your office hours?

Virtual consultations are available before, during, and after traditional business hours and on weekends, depending on your individual circumstances and our attorney’s availability. Please call (757) 363-0077 for details. We typically answer the phone or return messages between the hours of 8 AM and 8 PM.

Why are your hours by appointment only

To ensure the highest level of personal attention for all of our clients, we are unable to accommodate walk-ins. By scheduling your appointment, you will receive the attention your matter deserves. Every effort will be made to accommodate your schedule, even if it means meeting after our posted hours on occasion.

How far in advance must I call to schedule an appointment?

The rule of thumb is at least 24 hours. This gives us ample time to prepare for your visit and to make certain time is available for our meeting. If you require a same-day appointment, we will make a concerted effort to accommodate your request. If it's a pressing matter that cannot wait till the following day just let us know. Communication is the key to a good attorney-client relationship. While no such relationship is formed until a representation agreement is signed, it is a good practice to keep the lines of communication open from the beginning. That way, with everything on the table, we can proceed with a plan of action that's truly in your best interest.

Location and Directions

What areas in Virginia do you service for family law matters?

Attorney Burroughs practices in the Tidewater | Hampton Roads region in the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth.

What is your office address/location?

Burroughs Law Office, P.C.
(dba) Frugal Legal Services
4445 Corporation Lane, Suite 142
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

How can I find your office?

 

What is your office telephone number? 

Office Telephone: (757) 363-0077