Lifestyle

7 Things To Consider When Going Through a Divorce

Published

4 years ago

December 29, 2021

Going through a divorce is a life-altering process that can take an emotional toll. Aside from a relationship or family breaking, there are a substantial amount of logistics that need to be covered.

Try not to feel overwhelmed, though. We’re going to share ways to cope with the hardships of a divorce, as well as some of the items you’ll want to take care of as soon as possible.

Hire an Attorney

There are a substantial amount of legalities involved with a divorce. There are assets to divide, alimony, and child support if you have children together.

Negotiating isn’t an easy process to do on your own, especially when there are high levels of emotions to navigate. Hiring an attorney of family law to assist when filing for divorce can give you peace of mind knowing you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Allow for Grieving

Whether you’re the one who is filing for divorce or the one being served the papers, there is room for grief. If anything, it’s healthy to grieve. You’re not just losing a person, but you’re also losing a future in a relationship you thought you’d have.

Allow yourself the space to feel your emotions. It’ll help throughout the divorce process, and for life moving forward, not to suppress your feelings.

Divorce Takes Time

In a perfect world, divorce would be as simple as signing a piece of paper and moving on with your life. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality.

Because of all the logistics involved, as well as the court to consider, it’s going to take some time for the divorce to be final. Take your time and work with your attorney to help speed up the process as best you can.

Seek Support

The pandemic increased divorce rates dramatically. The mental, emotional, and even physical strain drove couples to part ways. But if the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we don’t have to go through hardships alone.

Seek support while going through the process. This could be in the form of family, friends, online support groups, or a therapist. Your mental well-being is important to be able to create a life for yourself after the divorce is final.

Get Your Assets in Order

You may not be ready for this part, but the sooner it’s done, the sooner you can take the next step. Make a list of all the assets you jointly own and their associated values. These are things such as:

Property
Joint Bank Accounts
Credit Cards and Coinciding Debt
Gifts
Inheritance
Furniture
Miscellaneous Belongings

If you can be amicable, it’s easier to work together while making this list. If not, seek help from your family law attorney to assure you’re being fair in the eyes of the court.

Take Care of Yourself

This means both physically and mentally. Because this is a sad time when you’re experiencing loss, you may see a decline in your mental health. This typically coincides with your physical health as well.

It’s important to maintain your health throughout the process. Continue eating your regular meals and keep your refrigerator filled. Go outside and walk. Exercise throughout the week. Fill your cup with things that are beneficial for your mental health.

Look Towards the Future

According to research by sociologists, planning makes people happier. Start looking towards your future. What do you want it to look like?

This could be a time to reinvent yourself. Perhaps you want to move and have a fresh start. Start planning for your new future to keep you focused and maintain a sense of hope.

Summary

Getting through a divorce is hard – there’s no way around it. What’s most important is to take care of yourself.

Allow yourself grace and compassion. Seek help from a professional attorney as well as support from your friends and family. Lastly, keep your eyes on the future you desire.

Lifestyle

Finding the “Best Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me:” A Complete Guide

Published

9 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Michelle Langton

Getting injured in a car accident is a stressful time. After all, you could face serious injuries that affect you for the rest of your life.

Thankfully, a good personal injury lawyer can help you navigate this complex moment in your life, but it can be easy to get overwhelmed finding the right one. If you are a resident of the Old Dominion and Googling “best injury lawyer near me Virginia,” look no further than the Richmond law firm Burnett & Williams.

One of the most common questions people ask about hiring an attorney after a car crash is “When should I contact a lawyer?” The answer is as soon as possible.

After receiving medical care, your next call should be to a personal injury attorney, as they will be able to get the ball rolling on your personal injury claim. A sense of urgency will help them fight to get you the compensation you deserve and prevent you from making any mistakes with the insurance company that will hurt you in the long term.

An important thing to keep in mind when hiring a personal injury attorney is the statute of limitations, the state-imposed deadline by which a victim has to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you could be barred from receiving any damages for the accident.

Although the statute of limitations can vary from state to state, in many states, including under Virginia law, it is two years from the date of an accident. If you delay hiring an attorney, it gives them less time to prepare your case.

Why hire a personal injury attorney?

But what does a personal injury attorney do that helps your case? The main benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney include:

Investigation: After hiring an attorney, they will begin an extensive investigation process. They will collect all records, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photos you took of the scene. They may also revisit the scene of the accident or consult expert witnesses, such as medical experts or accident reconstruction specialists, to build the strongest possible case.

Negotiation: Your lawyer will then get to work crafting a demand letter to the insurance company (or companies). One of the best things about hiring a personal injury attorney is that they handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. Not only does this mean that you are less likely to fall victim to the insurance adjusters’ pressuring tactics, but it also allows you to focus more on what matters most: your recovery.

Trial representation: While many personal injury cases end in settlements, sometimes both sides cannot come to an agreement for fair compensation. In these cases, your claim will proceed to trial, where it will be heard by a judge and/or jury. When a personal injury case goes to court, it is important to have a skilled trial lawyer on your side who is willing and able to argue your case.

How to determine which Virginia personal injury lawyer is best for your Virginia injury claim

However, it can be difficult to determine which personal injury attorney to hire. There are tons of radio ads, billboards, and Google search results that all claim to be the “best injury lawyer near me,” so how do you know which ones actually are the best? Attorney C. James Williams III, principal at Burnett & Williams, guides us through what injury victims should look for when hiring an attorney.

One of the first things to look for when hiring a personal injury attorney is their fee structure. The best personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are paid a percentage of the final settlement or award. These are the “we don’t get paid unless you win” guarantees.

While other specialties, such as criminal law, operate on an hourly basis, the status quo for personal injury law is a contingency fee. “Be suspicious of anyone who asks for an upfront retainer or hourly rate for your personal injury case, as this could imply that they don’t think they can win your case,” Williams advises.

It is also important to look for a law firm with a specialty area that correlates with your specific accident. “Not every lawyer is trained and equipped to handle every personal injury case,” explains Williams. “For example, truck accidents involve additional complex laws beyond the typical auto accident case. So do motorcycle accidents. An attorney who has only ever handled standard car accident claims might not be the right fit to handle one of these cases.”

But perhaps the single biggest factor to consider when choosing the best injury lawyer near you is their track record. “More often than not, experienced personal injury attorneys’ results should be able to speak for themselves,” says Williams.

If a law firm has good reviews online and has a history of winning big settlements and jury awards, chances are they are a good choice to hire. “And as a bonus, the better the reputation, the more leverage you get in the negotiation process,” Williams adds. “Insurance companies are often scared to go to trial against a lawyer they think they might lose to.”

If you are looking for the best Virginia personal injury lawyers, look no further than the skilled and experienced attorneys at Burnett & Williams. “Contact us today for a free consultation,” concludes Williams. “We will review your case and determine if we can help get you the compensation you deserve.”