Shawna L. Stevens PLLC

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Shawna L. Stevens PLLC Family law firm in Fredericksburg, VA handling divorce and child custody matters.

Here in Stafford County, child support may not end the day a child turns 18, which can catch parents by surprise during ...
10/15/2026

Here in Stafford County, child support may not end the day a child turns 18, which can catch parents by surprise during senior year. In Virginia, support generally continues until age 18 or the end of high school, whichever comes later; college costs usually need a separate written plan and are not automatic. If your child is still in school, checking the timeline early can help you plan for what comes next. For guidance on a child support question, call (540) 310-4088.

Around Fredericksburg and Stafford County, couples can agree on nearly everything and still get stuck on one question: w...
10/15/2026

Around Fredericksburg and Stafford County, couples can agree on nearly everything and still get stuck on one question: who keeps the house? In a Virginia property division, options may include one spouse buying out the other, selling the home and splitting the proceeds, or holding it jointly for a time. An older home near downtown can hold years of memories, so it’s worth looking honestly at how the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and upkeep would fit on one income. If the family home is holding up your agreement, call (540) 310-4088.

Here in Westmoreland County, plenty of couples raise children together without ever marrying, and a parenting schedule m...
10/14/2026

Here in Westmoreland County, plenty of couples raise children together without ever marrying, and a parenting schedule matters just as much in those homes. Virginia courts can set custody and visitation for parents who were never married, and time with a child is far easier to protect once parentage is legally settled. Writing down weekdays, weekends, holidays, and school breaks now saves a season of confusion later in 2026. If you are not sure where your situation stands, a short conversation at (540) 310-4088 can help you sort it out.

If you are weighing a divorce in Orange County this fall, the question that comes first is usually how long the whole th...
10/14/2026

If you are weighing a divorce in Orange County this fall, the question that comes first is usually how long the whole thing will take. In Virginia, the separation period is only one piece of the timeline, and the rest depends on how quickly you and your spouse settle the real decisions about the house, the debts, retirement accounts, and the children's schedule. Couples who gather their paperwork early and keep talking through the details tend to move through 2026 with far less friction than couples who let every decision stall. If the process feels stuck, a clear plan and steady communication usually get it moving again, and a conversation at (540) 310-4088 can help you see the road ahead.

An order signed a few years ago can quietly stop matching the week a Caroline County family actually lives. A new shift,...
10/13/2026

An order signed a few years ago can quietly stop matching the week a Caroline County family actually lives. A new shift, a move, or a child's changing needs are exactly the kind of changes Virginia courts may consider when someone asks to modify parenting, child support, or spousal support. What helps most is simple proof of how life has changed, like recent pay stubs, school records, and a plain log of overnights. Modification is about updating the order you already have, not throwing it out. If your routine has shifted in 2026, the number is (540) 310-4088.

Home should be the one place that feels safe, and in King George County there are times when it simply does not. A famil...
10/13/2026

Home should be the one place that feels safe, and in King George County there are times when it simply does not. A family abuse protective order can be a practical first step, covering no-contact terms, who remains in the house, and temporary custody or visitation while everyone catches their breath. Virginia law can even address everyday costs like rent or a mortgage when one person is granted exclusive use of the residence. Because the details should fit your real week, safety planning comes before paperwork. If you are sorting through this in 2026, call (540) 310-4088.

Adoption in Spotsylvania County is not only for stepparents and newborns, because plenty of families are simply making o...
10/12/2026

Adoption in Spotsylvania County is not only for stepparents and newborns, because plenty of families are simply making official a bond that already exists. A grandparent, an aunt, or another relative can often adopt a child who has been in their care, and Virginia also allows an adult adoption when a parent-child relationship has lasted well past childhood. What the court wants to see is that the child is loved, safe, and settled, whether that comes from school records, medical history, or the steady daily care a family has provided. If you are thinking about making that relationship official in 2026, call (540) 310-4088.

Couples in Stafford County who marry a little later in life often find that the wedding is the easy part and the money c...
10/12/2026

Couples in Stafford County who marry a little later in life often find that the wedding is the easy part and the money conversation is the hard one. A postnuptial agreement works much like a prenup, giving a couple a written plan for a family home, a business, or a retirement account even years after the vows. It can also give children from an earlier marriage a clearer picture of what stays in the family. Full financial disclosure from both sides helps keep that plan balanced and fair to everyone. If you have been putting off that conversation in 2026, call (540) 310-4088.

In Orange County, Virginia, dividing a marital home and retirement accounts can shape your next chapter in very differen...
10/11/2026

In Orange County, Virginia, dividing a marital home and retirement accounts can shape your next chapter in very different ways. Virginia’s equitable distribution process does not automatically mean a 50/50 split, so understanding ownership, timing, contributions, and the value of each asset matters. A thoughtful look at both your home and long-term financial security can help you plan for 2026 and beyond. For guidance, call (540) 310-4088.

In Caroline County, Virginia, knowing how the separation timeline works can make an uncontested divorce feel more manage...
10/11/2026

In Caroline County, Virginia, knowing how the separation timeline works can make an uncontested divorce feel more manageable. In 2026, Virginia generally requires spouses to live separate and apart continuously for six months if they have no minor children and a signed separation agreement, or one year if they have minor children. The separation date and the terms of the agreement matter, so careful planning can help you understand your next steps. For guidance, call (540) 310-4088.

Address

307 Lafayette Boulevard Suite 200, Suite 200
Fredericksburg, VA
22401

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+15403104088

Website

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