[VA] Motion for Pendente Lite Relief
Location: Prince William County, Virginia.
I'm pro se in an ongoing divorce case in Prince William County, Virginia. The main reason I ended up pro se is because there was significant financial control/coercion during my marriage. I worked in my spouse's company for years without pay and he fired me after asking to pay me my wages. I currently have zero access to marital funds or accounts.
I found a lawyer who helps people in situations like mine, but after filing my Answer/Counterclaim and after opposing counsel responded, communication basically stopped, she hasn't responded to my emails. At this point, I urgently need to move forward with a pendente lite motion for spousal support because I currently have no income and no access to money.
I already drafted the motion itself, but I'm confused about the procedural steps for actually getting it heard.
Can someone explain this to me like I'm five?
My understanding so far is:
- I file the Motion for Pendente Lite Relief with the clerk
- I also need to file/attach a Notice of Term Day?
Then I serve opposing counsel with both documents
Then the Term Day appearance is basically where the actual hearing date gets scheduled?
Is that correct for Prince William County Circuit Court?
I'm trying very hard to do this properly and not have my filing rejected over procedure. Any guidance from Virginia attorneys or anyone familiar with Prince William divorce procedure would really help. Thank you. A