Family Law

My ideal client is one who seeks a fair and reasonable resolution of the dispute by mediation, negotiation, and then litigation only when necessary after failing to reach an agreement by the former means.

• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Name Changes
• Restraining Orders
• Enforcement Actions

• Domestic Violence

• Child Support
• Custody
• Paternity
• Visitation

• Living Together/Cohabitation
• Power of Attorney

• Grandparent Rights

Divorce

My ideal client is one who seeks a fair and reasonable resolution of the dispute by mediation, negotiation, and then litigation only when necessary after failing to reach an agreement by the former means.

• Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
• Annulment
• Child Support
• Custody/Visitation Rights
• Delinquent Support Payments
• Division of Property
• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
• Restraining Orders
• Uncontested Divorce

VA, Oct 1994
Bar Number: 36771

Virginia State Courts.

Fairfax Bar Association; Virginia Bar Association; Family Law Section of both.

I attend continuing legal education seminars on topics which relate to my practice, including ethics. I always exceed the required number of continuing education hours. I subscribe to, and actually read, Virginia Lawyer's Weekly, which provides weekly updates of important cases and legislative changes in all areas of law.

Several of my appellate cases have resulted in published opinions. The brief writing process of an appeal requires extensive research and writing.

Over 90% of the cases that I have mediated or served were as a Neutral Case Evaluator. Several of these cases were ones which the party's attorneys said could never be settled outside court.

I have been a military spouse for over 21 years. I am interested in matters related to military families and am very familiar with military benefits and services. I have used that knowledge in the course of my practice to assist military members and family members in numerous cases.

I have helped clients come up with some very creative custody arrangements that were not necessarily common, but served the individual needs, schedules, and parenting strengths of the parties involved.

In several cases I have helped clients achieve goals which other attorneys had told them were impossible, such as obtaining primary custody for a father, allowing children to continue in private school, or allowing a mother and children to remain in the marital home until the children graduated from high school.

1

Virginia

I established the firm on April 1, 2006 and serve clients in various areas of law involving disputes related to family matters. I provide mediation services, thereby assisting individuals in reaching a mutually acceptable resolution to their dispute without the need for court intervention. I also represent individual clients in family law matters by providing legal advice, negotiating an agreement with the other party or, if necessary, by representing them in the court process. I can serve as a mediator OR represent a particular client, but cannot do both in the same matter or dispute.

I was first an associate and then a partner in Byrd, Mische, P.C. from January, 1994 to March 31, 2006. My previous firm primarily focused its practice in family law and domestic relations matters. Immediately after law school, I worked part-time for approximately one year doing research and writing for a small firm in Kansas that engaged in various types of litigation. Before moving to Virginia, I spent approximately 18 months in California and took time off to start a family.

I am BV -Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. I have completed the family mediation training course with Northern Virginia Mediation, which is affiliated with George Mason University. I serve as a Neutral Case Evaluator for the Fairfax County Circuit Court. I provide Pro Bono Services for the Domestic Violence project of Legal Services of Northern Virginia.

I served as a mentor/supervisor for George Mason University School of Law's Domestic Relations Clinic, and have served as a judge for inter-law-school Trial Advocacy Competitions. I have also served as a lecturer for the Vienna Women's Center on family law matters. Furthermore, I have handled many cases before the Virginia Court of Appeals, including several which resulted in published opinions.

Kim.

(703) 934-4015

Monday through Friday
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Yes

I have a working knowledge of Spanish.

My mediation rate is $250 per hour, payable at the mediation table. Unless they agree otherwise, the parties will equally share that fee. New clients who mention Nolo will receive $100 off the first mediation session lasting at least two hours. If the parties reach an agreement and want me to draft the Memorandum of Understanding, I charge a $750 flat fee for drafting the document.

I charge hourly rates for most litigation services. However, I offer the services of finalizing an uncontested divorce, when the parties have reached an agreement, for a flat fee of $1,000, plus costs.

I cannot serve as a mediator and also represent a client in the same matter. Ethical rules prevent mediators from giving either party legal advice that may possibly not be in the interest of the other party.

$250 for mediation; $375 for litigation or legal consultation.

No. However, I do not charge for the initial telephone interview wherein I explain the process and my policies and procedures.

I do not charge a retainer for mediation services. Litigation retainers vary greatly based on the complexity of the matter and the number of contested issues.