Cooper Ginsberg Gray PLLC

Dan Gray (back row) serves on the Board of Governors for The Virginia Bar Association (VBA) and attended the Summer Meeting in Hot Springs, Virginia July 18-20. Dan volunteered to serve as a meeting mentor for first-time attendees along with several other VBA veterans, including Nupur Bal, who was just elected Chair of the VBA Board. Dan got to work with his mentee, Chris Janszky, of Michie Hamlett, and enjoyed getting to know the other mentees and mentors at the meeting. The mentoring project was the brainchild of VBA Young Lawyers Division President Ann Petros.

To the VBA members who took part in the mentorship pilot program at the meeting - and to the mentees - thank you!

Protect your assets and plan for the future with a prenuptial agreement. At Cooper Ginsberg Gray, our experienced attorneys help you create clear, fair agreements that safeguard your interests and minimize potential conflicts. Let us assist you in starting your marriage with confidence and peace of mind.

An uncontested adoption is the process by which a stepparent, or close relative, assumes legal responsibility for a child with neither of the biological parents objecting to the adoption. Also referred to as a simple adoption, it does not typically require a court hearing and is possible when one or both of the child’s biological parents are deceased, unknown, or willing to terminate parental rights.

The attorneys at Cooper Ginsberg Gray have the ability to assist clients in the rewarding process of uncontested adoption matters. To learn more about the adoption process and our services, please contact us or call our office today.

We took a break from our crazy calendars yesterday and spent a few hours at Top Golf Ashburn! Some of us have been hiding some pretty amazing golf swings (yes - we’re talking about you, Sage, Kristen, Bailee and Mia!)
🏌🏽‍♀️⛳️ 🏌🏼‍♂️

CGG is proud to support the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter - the fundraising partner of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. This charitable organization raises funds to help the shelter provide services beyond what its budget covers - everything from life-saving medical care to extra toys and leashes!

We are particularly excited to sponsor a ‘spotlight’ of Bentley Blue. Bentley has been a resident of the shelter since February - which is shocking to everyone who meets him! He’s a fun, loving pup who longs for his forever home! One of our team members got to spend some time outside the shelter with Bentley recently as a volunteer. Check out a few pics in the comments below.

CGG hopes that Bentley Blue will find his forever home soon!!
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Rev your engines because we have the perfect companion for you! Bentley Blue is a high-energy, 75-pound muscle car of a dog, ready to jump into your exercise routine and steal your heart. Thank you to
Cooper Ginsberg Gray for choosing Bentley Blue as our Spotlight Pet this week. Friends’ Spotlight Program is a way for pet-lovers to shed a light on pets at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter who might need more attention.

Bentley Blue will benefit from basic training and would do best in an active home with an experienced dog owner, possibly without small children. Bentley loves people and is nothing but happy when meeting them, but does seem to experience some pain in his ears and needs you to be aware of his sensitivity while petting him. He will benefit from supervised doggy socialization before interacting with a wide variety of dogs. If you are interested in Bentley Blue, come to the Fairfax Campus during open hours or check him out here. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/adopt

Interested but not sure about the commitment? Bentley is eligible for an Adoption Audition! What is an Adoption Audition? It’s a 5-day, no-strings-attached, trial adoption period. You can take this pet home to try it out! Interested? Come to the shelter any time during open hours and talk to one of our Customer Care staff!

Navigating the divorce process can be overwhelming, but you're not alone. At Cooper Ginsberg Gray, we provide comprehensive support to guide you through every step, from initial filings to final resolutions. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to ensuring your rights are protected and your interests are represented. Reach out to us for personalized assistance and let us help you achieve a fair and just outcome.

Seeking a peaceful resolution to your family disputes? Mediation might be the perfect solution. At Cooper Ginsberg Gray, our experienced attorneys help guide you through the mediation process, allowing you to resolve issues amicably and avoid costly litigation. In addition, two of our attorneys, David Ginsberg and Nathan Olson, are certified mediators.

Discover the benefits of mediation and how we can assist you today. Contact us to learn more!

A party may file for a divorce based on fault grounds (such as adultery or desertion) or no-fault grounds (meaning a divorce granted merely because a couple has separated for the requisite amount of time). The decision to file on fault or no-fault grounds is complex.

Grounds for divorce in Virginia include:
Adultery: When one spouse engages in sexual in*******se with a person not their spouse.
Felony: Grounds for divorce exist if, subsequent to the marriage, one spouse commits a felony, which results in imprisonment of more than one year.
Cruelty or Desertion/Abandonment: Grounds for divorce exist if a spouse is guilty of
cruelty or if a spouse willfully deserted or abandoned the other spouse.
Separation: Grounds for divorce exist if the spouses have been living separate and apart without co-habitation for more than one year. This period of time is cut in half if the spouses have no minor children and have resolved all of the disputed issues in their marriage by written agreement.

For more information regarding how this information applies to your particular case, call our office to schedule an appointment.

The Virginia Court of Appeals ruled earlier this week that a U.S. Marine’s adoption of an Afghan war orphan found on a battlefield as a baby should have never been granted, voiding the custody order allowing him to raise the girl for the last three years. Her relatives are seeking to regain custody, with the support of the U.S. government, but the child's fate remains in limbo.

Click the link below to read more about this unique case.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/07/17/appeals-court-voids-marines-adoption-of-afghan-orphan-childs-fate-remains-limbo.html #:~:text=A%20Virginia%20appellate%20court%20ruled,girl%20for%20nearly%20three%20years.

Well - at least it’s Friday, right Dunkin?

An uncontested adoption is the process by which a stepparent, or close relative, assumes legal responsibility for a child with neither of the biological parents objecting to the adoption. Also referred to as a simple adoption, it does not typically require a court hearing and is possible when one or both of the child’s biological parents is deceased, unknown, or willing to terminate parental rights.

The attorneys at Cooper Ginsberg Gray have the ability to assist clients in the rewarding process of uncontested adoption matters. To learn more about the adoption process and our services please contact us or call our office today.

Dividing property and apportioning debts can be a very significant aspect of a divorce. Virginia follows the concept of equitable distribution, which views marriage as a partnership and requires the analysis of certain factors to determine how to fairly distribute assets and liabilities between spouses. Before property is distributed according to these factors, Virginia law requires a court to first identify the nature, ownership, and value of all assets and debts of the marriage.

The attorneys at Cooper Ginsberg Gray can assist you with the fair and equitable distribution of property incident to divorce. Each of our lawyers has tried and negotiated numerous cases involving the simplest assets to the most complex cases of distribution of property in Virginia. Whatever the property distribution issue, our collective experience allows us to approach the matter with the knowledge required for a fair distribution. Contact our office today to learn more about our services.

CGG Paralegal Cheri Federici joined the firm 10 years ago. She brought a wealth of knowledge and experience with her and quickly emerged as a superb litigation paralegal. Cheri earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at Radford Univ and her paralegal studies at The Institute for Paralegal Training in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She now supports several of CGG’s busiest litigators by (among other tasks) managing the case files, compiling discovery, and preparing for trials. In her free time, you can find Cheri spending time at the beach with her family or cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins! Fun fact: Her dog’s name is Fleury!

Several laws took effect on July 1st in Virginia that affect family law matters. Read the 8 changes in our blog here:

https://www.cgglawyers.com/8-legal-changes-affecting-family-law-cases-in-
virginia/

If you’re looking to create your own closure after narcissistic abuse, you’re in the right place.

A narcissist will not give it to you.

Over the years, CGG’s Divorce Coach, Dr. Leah Nathan, noted that a significant number of clients were describing their spouse as a “narcissist” while less than 5% of the population is actually diagnosed with this personality disorder. She realized that, regardless of whether the client’s spouse was actually diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (“NPD”), the experiences being described provided a context for further understanding what her clients endured.

Contact Your Divorce Coach, Leah Nathan to schedule a 1:1 to equip yourself with strategies needed to successfully divorce a spouse with narcissistic traits. Email [email protected] today!

For an initial consultation with an experienced attorney at Cooper GinsbergGray regarding your case, please submit the response form found on our website. We will respect the confidentiality of your information to the fullest extent. Form submissions are relayed to us through our highly secure servers.

https://www.cgglawyers.com/consult-form/

Choosing a family lawyer can be difficult. The graphic below shows seven traits that come together to make a great family attorney.

If you look for the right qualities, hiring a lawyer doesn’t have to be difficult. If you are searching for a family law attorney with the expertise and skill to represent you, contact Cooper Ginsberg Gray today!

When going through a divorce, it is important to be realistic. Understand that divorce courts do not dispense “justice” in family law cases. They resolve disputes. Judges do their best to do the “right thing,” but the “right thing” means different things to different judges. You should also be mindful that there are two sides to EVERY story.

For more information before, during or after your divorce, contact Cooper Ginsberg Gray PLLC at (703) 934-1480 or www.cgglawyers.com.

A Protective Order is a legal document designed to protect an individual’s safety and health. If you are in the process of a divorce and are being injured, stalked or threatened, a Protective Order can help keep you safe and prohibit your spouse or another individual from certain acts.

For additional information about Protective Orders in Northern Virginia, please call our office today and schedule a consultation with one of our skilled and experienced family law attorneys.

Struggling with the decision to stay in or leave your marriage? Our free guide with 35 questions can help you gain clarity. Email Dr. Leah Nathan at [email protected] for your copy and take the first step towards making the best decision for you and your family.

The practice of family law is tough, but working with great people makes the days so much better! CGG is so incredibly grateful for each and every member of our team!

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Cooper Ginsberg Gray is proud to announce that paralegals Jennifer Horn and Jamie Montoney have been selected to sit on the FBA Paralegal Section's 2024-2025 Executive Committee. Jennifer was elected to serve as the Marketing Coordinator, Jamie will serve as the Membership Coordinator, and together they will serve as the Activities Co-Coordinators for the section. They look forward to serving their colleagues in the Fairfax paralegal community alongside the other members of the Committee for the upcoming year.

We are thrilled to announce the newly elected members of the FBA Paralegal Section's Executive Committee! These accomplished individuals bring extensive experience and dedication to their roles, and we are excited about the innovative ideas that they will bring to our organization.

Introducing our 2024-2025 Executive Committee:

✨ Julia Nelson (Curran Moher Weis, P.C.), Chair
✨ Stephanie Ayala (Curcio Law), Vice-Chair
✨ Tammy Beardsley (McCandlish Lillard), Secretary
✨ Jamie Montoney (Cooper Ginsberg Gray PLLC), Membership Coordinator & Co-Activities Coordinator
✨ Viola Leslie-Foley (Greenspun Shapiro, P.C.), Continued Paralegal Education (CPE) Coordinator
✨ Jennifer Horn (Cooper Ginsberg Gray PLLC), Co-Activities Coordinator & Marketing Coordinator

Congratulations, and we look forward to another successful year filled with collaboration, achievement, and continued excellence! 🎉

A special thank you to our outgoing board members who have dedicated their time and expertise to serving our Section. We are grateful for your contributions and commitment this past year!

❗ Lastly, we are pleased to introduce our newly established Leadership Committee! Designed as a versatile counterpart to our Executive Committee ("EC"), the Leadership Committee ("LC") offers a platform where members can contribute their insights and ideas in a flexible and collaborative environment. Members of the LC play a pivotal role by attending monthly EC meetings, where they have the opportunity to engage actively in the planning and ex*****on of organization events, offering support to the EC as their schedules permit. This committee serves as a vital bridge between our members and the executive leadership, ensuring that our organizational goals are met with creativity, enthusiasm, and a collective spirit. If interested in joining the LC, please reach out to Julia Nelson ([email protected]) or Stephanie Ayala ([email protected]) for more information!

Today is National Forgiveness Day, a time to reflect on the power of forgiveness and healing. At CGG Family Law, we understand that family conflicts can be challenging, but forgiveness can be a vital step towards resolution and peace.

Whether you're dealing with divorce, custody issues, or other family matters, our compassionate attorneys are here to help you navigate through these times with understanding and care.

Learn more about our services: cgglawyers.com

Healing begins after the divorce is finalized. Our post-divorce coaching helps you adjust to your new life, from single parenting to re-entering the dating scene. Let us support you as you rebuild and thrive post-divorce.

Learn more: https://www.cgglawyers.com/divorce-coach-fairfax-northern-virginia/

At CGG Family Law, we are committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence. Our compassionate attorneys provide legal assistance and guidance to helpyou find safety justice. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out.

To all the amazing dads out there, thank you for your love, support, and guidance. At CGG Family Law, we recognize the important role fathers play in their children's lives and are dedicated to supporting fathers through any legal challenges.

Child support is crucial for your child’s well-being. We work diligently to ensure fair and just child support arrangements. Child support can be a difficult topic for many people to understand. If you are considering filing for divorce or child support, contact us and let our family law attorneys help you.

https://www.cgglawyers.com/child-support-spousal-support/

A prenuptial agreement can provide peace of mind as you embark on your new life together. At CGG Family Law, we help couples create fair and comprehensive prenuptial agreements to protect their future.

Find out how we can assist: https://www.cgglawyers.com/pre-nuptial-agreements/

Kristen L. Kugel, a partner at Cooper Ginsberg Gray PLLC, was born and raised in Rochester, NY, but has called Northern Virginia “home” since 2009. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Geneseo and her Juris Doctor from the Scalia Law School, George Mason University. Kristen, who has been with CGG since 2011, has emerged as one of the firm’s top litigators, bringing her exceptional skills not only to the courtroom, but back to GMU as a Trial Advocacy coach and Adjunct Professor. Kristen has been recognized in Northern Virginia Magazine, Arlington Magazine, and
Virginia Business as one of the DC metro area’s top family law attorneys. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.

Protecting your assets during a divorce is crucial. The attorneys at Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC can help you safeguard your financial future. Whether it’s understanding property division, managing retirement accounts, or protecting business interests, we’re here to provide guidance every step of the way. Don’t leave your assets to chance—let us help you secure what’s rightfully yours.

Contact us today for a consultation!