Family Law, Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Lawyers in Virginia

Barnes & Diehl, P.C.

9401 Courthouse Road, Centre Court, Suite A
Chesterfield, Virginia 23832
USA

(804) 796-1000

(804) 796-1730

www.barnesfamilylaw.com

Contact the Firm

Law Firm Overview

At Barnes & Diehl, PC, in Richmond, our attorneys are active professionals who are dedicated in practicing their good qualities and abilities. We understand the importance of sharing our knowledge and resources with peers in the legal community as well as with the public. The reasons for our law firm’s existence are the high standards in the practice of law in family law, handling elder law, criminal defense, and personal injury, and useful service to clients.

Having the reputation as the leader in our fields, Barnes & Diehl, PC work hard to be the most advanced. We welcome potential new clients to contact us to schedule an initial consultation and learn how we can help in legal matters such as premarital agreements, complex equitable distribution of marital assets, business and asset valuation, military divorce, child custody, relocation custody cases, child support, spousal support, collaborative law and adoption.

How much we value our service to clients and the community can be seen from the many referrals from other lawyers and satisfied clients, including former legal opponents: a strong indicator of our firm’s success. We continuously strive to keep our priorities in order – first and foremost as a model law firm serving our clients well in a range of practice areas including family law, elder law, criminal defense and personal injury. We take pride in our record of service to our community.

Practice Areas

Practice Areas Description

- Pre & Post Marital Agreements

Marriage requires trust, hope and faith. For some couples, considering a premarital agreement demonstrates that they trust each other to act fairly — and wish to spell out their financial expectations through an enforceable, personalized contract. If a prenuptial agreement is properly done, a couple entering into marriage will have written proof that both understood their agreement.

- Divorce & Separation

A Virginia divorce will be decided according to due diligence and good faith negotiations on the part of an attorney with a comprehensive understanding of Virginia law and the interpersonal skills necessary to identify and achieve your legal goals. At Barnes & Diehl, P.C., we maintain two Richmond, VA offices to help clients secure timely and cost-effective resolution to issues and disputes that arise when a married couple chooses to live apart and begin separate lives.

- Asset Distribution & Divorce Planning

A divorce untangles a legal and financial union, dividing assets that in marriage belonged to a couple. To reach a fair division of marital property, a divorcing couple may need the assistance of CPAs, appraisers and economists to help with the valuation of assets including real estate, stock options, retirement funds and valuables.

- Complex Equitable Distribution

When marital property includes complex assets such as businesses, investment accounts, vacation homes and stock options, it may be challenging to properly determine the value of these assets and to separate marital from nonmarital assets. With a tradition of experience devoted to family law, Barnes & Diehl, P.C., has the resources and the experience necessary to help clients evaluate and negotiate complex marital asset division in divorce.

- Business and Asset Valuation

Determining the value of a business involves much more than counting assets, property and expenses. Often, the most valuable asset that a business has is the intangible but essential "goodwill" that brings customers and clients to the door — both enterprise goodwill (pertaining to the business itself) and personal goodwill (pertaining to the proprietor's reputation).

- Retirement, Stock Options, ERISA, Planning

Retirement accounts, employee stock accounts, and stock options are all assets that require careful analysis in property settlement agreements in a divorce. It is important for anyone who has significant assets and who is planning a divorce to get professional advice as to how to plan and manage financial resources before, during and after the divorce.

- Military Divorce & Retirement Issues

If either you or your spouse is serving or has served in any branch of the armed forces, your financial picture as you approach divorce will require distinct consideration of such matters as retirement benefits and health insurance coverage. Whether the military spouse served in reserves, is on active duty, or is retired, family law attorneys at Barnes & Diehl, P.C., are experienced and prepared to make sure that you are aware of all benefits that you and your spouse may be entitled both before and after a divorce. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

- Child Custody

Barnes & Diehl, P.C. is the largest firm in Virginia practicing Family Law. Since 1978, our attorneys and legal staff have provided exemplary legal services for clients throughout Virginia seeking a timely, cost-effective resolution to a child custody or support issues. In addition, we pride ourselves on a compassionate family practice devoted to guiding parents through an intimidating legal system.

- Relocation Custody Cases-Interstate & International

Nearly every family law firm boasts of the lawyers' ability to handle relocation matters when a custodial parent wants to move out of the area, along with a child who sees the non-custodial parent on a visitation or shared parenting basis. But not every family law firm has the experience, confidence and skilled lawyers necessary to address complex custody cases, including international move-away situations.

- Adoption

As Virginia's largest firm practicing comprehensive Family Law, Barnes & Diehl, P.C. has helped literally hundreds of families that are seeking a stress-free transition when adding a new family member through adoption. A Virginia adoption is a complex and confusing process that requires a skilled lawyer who can efficiently guide you through the paperwork and administrative duties required for name changes, background checks and the new birth certificate.

- Support for Children & Spouses

From the point of view of the state of Virginia, the overriding factor in divorce or separation of parents is the best interests of the child. In marriage, spouses also assumed some responsibility for each other — and this responsibility may be accounted for in temporary, lump sum or permanent spousal support from the wage-earner spouse to the dependent spouse.

- Mediation

Mediation is a process where a "mediator" – a third party neutral – assists the parties in reaching a solution to their particular dispute. Mediators do not represent either party – they are neutral. Mediators do not have the power of a Judge and will not decide the outcome of any dispute. Rather, the mediator helps the parties explore many possible areas of potential agreement and assists in clearly identifying issues for discussion and resolution.

- Elder Law

As the largest firm in Virginia focusing on Family law issues, Barnes & Diehl, P.C. has developed a comprehensive compliment to our Estate Planning practice related to the unique needs of the elderly, disabled persons and their families / custodians. One of our Elder Law attorneys, Leslie Ann Shaner, is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, is a Board Member for the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and is qualified as a Guardian Ad Litem for Incapacitated Persons in the Commonwealth of Virgina. Our Elder Law practice involves not just legal representation but ongoing counseling and advice on all aspects of planning and litigation.

- Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts

The creation of a flexible, comprehensive estate plan should be a priority for anyone in Virginia who has experienced a significant change in family status, including divorce, adoption or remarriage. At Barnes & Diehl, P.C., an estate planning attorney can assist you with the drafting and implementation of a legally sound estate plan.

- Appellate Practice in All Courts

Criminal defense lawyers throughout Virginia look to the law offices of Barnes & Diehl, P.C., for counsel and assistance in criminal appeals. In addition, we appeal our own clients' criminal cases when we consider trial outcomes to be unsatisfactory. Potential clients and referring attorneys are invited to contact us to discuss appellate matters in Virginia.

- Criminal Defense

Being charged with a crime does not make you guilty. Every person charged with a crime must be fundamentally considered "innocent until proven guilty." It is the job of law enforcement and prosecution to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt and it is our job as Virginia criminal defense attorneys at Barnes & Diehl, P.C. to ensure that your case is resolved according to the facts and the law.

- DUI

If you have been arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, your need for legal counsel and representation is urgent. Experienced defense attorneys of Barnes & Diehl, P.C., are well prepared to advise, educate and guide you through the legal processes that follow a DUI charge.

- Criminal Law-White Collar-Federal & State

If you are under investigation or have been charged with a white collar crime in Virginia, you are encouraged to contact a knowledgeable, experienced and well-respected lawyer as soon as possible. Your career, your reputation and your freedom may be on the line. You require sophisticated, zealous representation after you have been accused of a state or federal criminal offense.

- Criminal Defense in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts

Defense of a juvenile is by nature different from that of an adult. A young person's criminal case will normally be processed through juvenile and domestic relations courts. An experienced juvenile defense attorney will work closely with parents as well as with the young offender.

- Personal Injury

While Barnes & Diehl, P.C., is best known as a prominent family law firm in Virginia, we handle other legal matters as well, including estate planning, criminal defense, personal injury and appellate law. Our well-respected trial lawyers welcome the opportunity to evaluate any serious injury or fatality case.