The successor's approach will profoundly impact millions of Catholics worldwide who live in this gray area – technically violating Church teaching while sincerely trying to follow their faith. Will they continue to be welcomed at the table, or will the doors begin to close again?

"But he never hit the kids," is something I hear often from clients who've experienced abuse.

I remember one client, eyes downcast, whispering this as if it would erase the damage. Her seven-year-old daughter sat in our office lobby, carefully organizing crayons by color – creating order in a small world she could control, unlike the chaos at home.

What many don't understand is that children don't need to be physically harmed to be profoundly damaged by domestic violence. When a child watches their parent being threatened, degraded, or assaulted, their entire sense of safety collapses. Their brain is rewired by trauma. Their understanding of relationships is fundamentally altered.

Family courts now understand what research has confirmed: violence against a partner reveals concerning judgment and impulse control issues that absolutely affect parenting. Judge Martinez, a family court judge I often appear before, once said during a custody hearing: "When you terrorize your children's other parent, you're showing them precisely who you are. That's not something I can ignore when deciding who should be responsible for their well-being."

After nearly two decades in family law, I've seen how domestic violence reshapes not just the immediate family, but generations to follow – unless someone breaks the cycle. Sometimes that someone is you, reading this right now, gathering the courage to protect yourself and your children.

Advances in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) have revolutionized the way individuals and couples start or grow their families, yet these rapid medical developments frequently outpace existing laws. From defining parentage to managing embryo disposition during divorce, it’s crucial for all parties—intended parents, donors, surrogates, and attorneys—to stay informed and protected.

When couples go through a divorce in Virginia, there’s often a strong desire to wrap up legal details quickly and move forward. But as a recent case out of Fairfax County demonstrates, the language in your separation agreement or divorce settlement truly matters. For Virginians exploring options like a Virginia online separation agreement or seeking a Virginia online divorce, this case serves as an important reminder: well-structured, unambiguous documents can safeguard your future family obligations—and potentially save you significant stress and expense.

Most discussions about adoption focus on children, but a lesser-known legal process allows for the adoption of adults. This practice, recognized in most U.S. states, creates legal parent-child relationships between adults. According to legal scholars and family law practitioners, the process is generally more straightforward than adopting a minor, primarily requiring the adoptee's consent rather than extensive background checks or home studies.

United States Supreme Court Bar Admissions Ceremony (December 3, 2024.

Last week, the House of Representatives voted to support a bill that has an inclusion that would give future administrations unprecedented power to target nonprofits and strip them of their tax-exempt status. This bill would allow the Treasury Secretary to label organizations as “terrorist-affiliated” without due process—a direct threat to the charities, advocacy groups, and nonprofits that fight for justice, defend civil rights, and support marginalized communities. The measure could target humanitarian aid groups, news outlets, schools and countless civil society organizations.

In today's political landscape, the Democratic Party is undergoing significant introspection, especially in light of recent election cycles. A key issue that has emerged is the portrayal of transgender rights, particularly in the context of youth sports and healthcare. This topic, while affecting a small demographic, has been amplified in political discourse, often overshadowing more pressing issues. In this post, we'll explore the reality behind these debates and how Democrats can address them effectively.

In today’s rapidly changing legal landscape, transgender health care rights are a pressing concern, especially with recent political shifts. For transgender individuals in Virginia, understanding the nuances of health care access and informed consent is crucial. With the election of Trump, many are anxious about potential changes to transgender health care policies. This post will explore the current legal framework in Virginia, potential federal changes, and how to prepare for what’s ahead.

In the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, many couples are understandably concerned about the future of marriage equality. While the majority opinion explicitly states its ruling is limited to abortion rights, there are legitimate reasons for same-sex couples to take precautionary measures to protect their families.