Best Divorce Lawyers Henrico
Jamie L. Allgood
Divorce Lawyers
While in law school I decided to focus my practice on family law. I wanted to be an advocate for people who needed help with whatever devastating life crisis they were dealing with, and family law was it. I partner with my clients to formulate a legal strategy that achieves their goals in the most efficient and practical way possible. I am a skilled negotiator and an effective litigator, utilizing both of these tactics as needed. My legal practice has grown to include estate planning, probate, and estate litigation
I graduated from Christopher Newport University with a B.A. in Political Science, and I graduated from Regent University School of Law. I am admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
I began practicing law in Hampton Roads, working for a boutique family law firm. My husband’s side of the family is from Hanover County, so we were delighted when a wonderful job opportunity for him brought us home to the Richmond area years ago.
My weekends are spent enjoying my sweet husband and three children, our Holland Lop bunnies, and planning for my next race.
Education
- Regent University School of Law, Virginia Beach, Virginia
- J.D. – 2012
- Christopher Newport University
- B.A. – 2009
- Major: Political Science
Bar Admissions
- Virginia, 2012
Honors
- Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2021-2023
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys-10 Best Attorneys, 2017-2018
- Attorney and Practice Magazine’s Top 10 Family Law Attorney, 2017-2018
Chris Macturk
Divorce Lawyers
An accomplished Richmond divorce and family lawyer, Chris Macturk wanted to change how he priced his services in a way that offered a closer, transparent, and unfettered working relationship with his clients. Often hearing complaints about the uncertainties and anxieties presented by hourly billing, he decided to change his business model and open a firm offering Pre-Agreed Pricing. Evolution was born. Chris has guided hundreds of individuals through separations, divorces and disputes over children and support. A Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Chris is also past President of both the Henrico County Bar Association and the Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association.
He is an active member of the Virginia Bar Association, having served as the Chair of its Domestic Relations Section (2021-2022) and the City of Richmond Bar Association, having served as the chairperson of its Pro Bono Committee and a member of the Judicial Committee and the Administration of Justice Committee. Chris has also participated in many seminars and written a number of articles about family law. Chris met his wife, Cynthia, while they both attended the University of Richmond. Cynthia currently works as a Chief Financial Officer for a management consulting company in Richmond. Chris and Cynthia have three sons. Their two oldest are in college – with one attending Virginia Tech and the other attending the University of Virginia. Their youngest attends high school in Short Pump.
Robert L. Isaacs
Divorce Lawyers
Robert L. Isaacs grew up in Henrico’s west end, attending Miles E. Godwin High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from the College of William and Mary in 1990. He earned his J.D. Degree from George Mason University School of Law in 1993. Rob started his career in 1992 as a law clerk in Fairfax, working for a boutique firm specializing in family law and litigation.
In 1995, Rob returned to his hometown of Richmond to create the practice he felt best served his client’s needs. He remains focused on family law and personal injury. Rob has represented diverse clients with unique issues in all levels of state courts, including the Virginia Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Virginia. He has a published article on dealing with division of military retired pay and taught Continuing Legal Education courses to other lawyers in legal ethics and interstate custody issues.
Rob and his wife Kristen have resided in Hanover County since 2003, where they raised three boys. He served Hanover as Chairman of the Special Education Advisory Committee, helping improve the education system for all students. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities and exercising at the gym.
Richard J. Oulton
Divorce Lawyers
Richard is the founder, president, and a shareholder of America Law Group, Inc.
He has been a continuously-licensed lawyer since 1973. He has been licensed to practice law in Virginia, District of Columbia, and New York. His academic credentials include an Associate of Arts (AAS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Juris Doctorate (JD).
Richard has a history of fighting “the good fight.” He is a combat-wounded Purple Heart recipient, who served with the famed “Walking Dead Marines” during the Vietnam War. He is a member of the Khe-Sanh Survivors Association, “Walking Dead Marine” Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps League, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has volunteered his legal services as Legislative Officer of the Virginia Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and as an Associate Professor of Health Law at the Medical College of Virginia.
In more recent times, Richard continued “the good fight” as “The Wyndham Flag Man” in a four-year battle fought against the developer of Wyndham (a planned Richmond community) for the right of all homeowners to properly fly our American Flag atop a flagpole on Memorial Day. He fought the case through the Virginia Supreme Court, and on to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In his free time, he enjoys going to the lake and spending time with his family and friends.
H. Van Smith
Divorce Lawyers
H. Van Smith practices family law, estate planning, and estate/fiduciary litigation across central Virginia, including from his offices in both the Richmond metropolitan area and Williamsburg. Van also routinely provides strategic legal counsel to business owners, elected officials, professional athletes, entrepreneurs, and political consulting firms in long-term, retained attorney-client relationships.
Van’s practice focuses on family law matters, including divorce, related tax and business issues, custody and support plans, property distribution, integrated solutions for wealth preservation and management post-separation, collaborative law, and civil litigation. Van also assists families with will, trust, and estate planning as well as probate matters with clients based upon his deep roots from Richmond to Williamsburg, Virginia. Van routinely advises clients on trust analysis and administration, business and wealth succession planning, tax planning, asset preservation, and business valuation working closely with a family’s accountant and financial advisor.
Thomas F. Coates, III
Divorce Lawyers
Thomas F. Coates, III (“Tom”) is co-founder, as well as an officer, director, shareholder and executive committee member of the Firm. Tom began his practice as a U.S. Army lawyer and later focused his practice on civil rights, criminal defense and civil litigation. In the early- to mid-1970s, he also served as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond, where he prosecuted thousands of criminal cases, including more than 50 felony jury trials.
After founding the Firm in 1974 (originally as Coates & Comess, thereafter as Coates & Davenport, and now as Coates, Battle & Tyree), Tom’s primary areas of practice included litigation (both civil and criminal), commercial transactions, corporate, divorce and family law. He has an extensive background in real estate and business transactions from residential and commercial real estate purchases and sales to major corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Tom has provided general business and corporate legal advice to businesses, professional practices and their manage¬ments on matters pertaining to organizational structure and restructuring, debt and equity capital formation, strategic plan¬ning and marketing, contract negotiation, risk management, executive compensation and severance, restrictive covenants, intellectual property protection, and prevention and/or res-olution of shareholder/partnership/limited liability company membership-management disputes.
He has life-long and extensive involvement in the Richmond and Commonwealth business and non-profit communities, serving as a board member for various corporations. He was chairman of the organizing committee and an initial director in the formation and start-up of First Capital Bank in Richmond, and has served on the boards of and as counsel for numerous non-profit educational and charitable organizations and institu¬tions in Virginia and beyond.
Education
- Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia
- J.D. – 1969
- Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA
- B.A. – 1966
Bar Admission
- Virginia Supreme Court
- Virginia, 1969
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 1971
- U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia, 1972
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1972
- U.S. Tax Court, 1987
Edward D. Barnes
Divorce Lawyers
Edward D. Barnes is Founder of Barnes & Diehl, P.C., with a tradition of experience and devotion to Family Law. In 2008, he received the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section, Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Chicago). He is listed in Best Lawyers in America, and has been included, since inception as a Virginia Legal Elite as published by Virginia Business Magazine. He is in the top 10 of Lawyers in Virginia as published and named by Super Lawyers. Richmond Business Magazine named him “Top Family Lawyer in the City of Richmond and the Region” in 2001.
Education
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D. – 1972
- Dean’s Advisory Council
- 1870 Society
- The Robins Society
- The Charter Associates – The Founders Society
- The Gothic Society
- The Rectors Club
- The Spider Club
- The Judiciary Gift Society
- East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- B.A. – 1966
- Honors: Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Officer, Fort Belvoir
- 1967
- Honors: Leadership, Academic and Honor Graduate
Bar Admissions
- Virginia, 1971
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 1972
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1972
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1974
- Virginia Supreme Court, 1971
Marc A. Boyko
Divorce Lawyers
Marc is dedicated to his clients. Handling all types of criminal and family law matters, Marc has litigated in courts across the Commonwealth of Virginia, including Henrico, Chesterfield, Richmond, Hanover, Powhatan, Louisa, Petersburg and Caroline.
Marc is an active member of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Virginia Bar Association, the Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, the Henrico County Bar Association (where he serves as a board member and as a member of the judicial committee) and the Chesterfield County Bar Association. He has successfully represented clients faced with serious criminal charges, including DUI, drug possession and distribution, violent felonies, larceny and assault and battery. He has also successfully represented clients in complex family law matters, including divorces, support petitions, protective orders, and complex child custody and visitation cases.
Marc prides himself on being a successful, prepared and passionate trial lawyer. He cares deeply about each client, and is dedicated to maintaining close contact with everyone he represents. Marc’s compassion also leads him to give back to the community—he is currently a proud and active member of the Rotary Club of Richmond.
Marc graduated cum laude with an economics degree from Rollins College and obtained his juris doctor from T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond, where he graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the Journal of Law and the Public Interest. While in law school, he interned with the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Petersburg and in Chesterfield. Marc and his family reside in Richmond, Virginia.
Having the best divorce lawyer in Henrico, or any location, can provide several benefits:
Expertise in Virginia Family Law: The best divorce lawyers in Henrico will have a deep understanding of Virginia’s family laws and regulations, including those that pertain to divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division.
Local Court Knowledge: They will be familiar with the Henrico County court system, judges, and local procedures. This familiarity can be invaluable in predicting how your case may be handled and in effectively navigating the legal process.
Strategic Planning: A top divorce lawyer will develop a tailored strategy based on your unique circumstances, considering factors such as assets, liabilities, children, and your specific goals for the divorce.
Negotiation Skills: Many divorces are settled through negotiations. A skilled lawyer will be an effective negotiator, working to achieve the best possible outcome for you in terms of property division, alimony, child support, and custody arrangements.
Emotional Support and Objectivity: Divorce is an emotionally charged process. A seasoned attorney can offer objective guidance, helping you make rational decisions and navigate the emotional challenges.
Legal Paperwork and Procedures: A divorce involves a significant amount of paperwork, filings, and deadlines. A knowledgeable lawyer will ensure that all necessary documents are prepared correctly and submitted on time.
Now, regarding the difference between alimony and spousal support:
Alimony:
Definition: Alimony refers to financial support paid by one spouse to the other after a divorce or separation. It is typically paid on a periodic basis (monthly or quarterly).
Purpose: The purpose of alimony is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a similar standard of living to what they were accustomed to during the marriage. It aims to address any economic disparity resulting from the divorce.
Duration: The duration of alimony can vary widely and may be temporary or permanent, depending on factors such as the length of the marriage, financial needs, and the ability of the paying spouse to provide support.
Spousal Support:
Definition: Spousal support is a broader term that encompasses various types of financial support provided by one spouse to the other after separation or divorce. It includes both alimony and other forms of financial assistance.
Types of Support: In addition to traditional alimony, spousal support may include other forms of financial assistance, such as transitional support (to help the recipient spouse become financially self-sufficient) or rehabilitative support (for education or training purposes).
Flexibility: Spousal support arrangements can be more flexible and can be tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the divorcing spouses.
It’s important to note that terminology and laws regarding alimony and spousal support can vary by jurisdiction, so it’s crucial to consult with a local divorce lawyer for guidance specific to your situation in Henrico, Virginia.