Family Law
Allison W. Anders
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Allison received her Juris Doctor in 2001 from Loyola University School of Law at New Orleans. After law school, Allison returned to Virginia and clerked for an Administrative Law Judge with the Department of Labor in Washington, DC for one year. Thereafter, she worked as an associate at McKenry, Dancingers, Dawson & Lake from 2003 to 2006, as an associate and partner at Kaufman and Canoles from 2006 to 2015, and as a partner at Parks Zeigler from 2015 to 2022. Allison’s has exclusively practiced family law since 2006.
Allison is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and is currently serving as the Secretary of the Virginia chapter of the AAML. Allison is also a member of the Virginia Beach Bar Association (VBBA), Virginia State Bar Association (VSB), Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA), and Virginia Bar Association (VBA). She has been very active with the VBBA, serving on various committees since 2003 and is currently Immediate Past President. She has also been a member of the VBA Family Law Coalition since November 2015.
Allison has been honored and recognized by numerous organizations: she has been recognized by Best Lawyers®, rated a Super Lawyer by Superlawyers.com, named Top 100 Virginia Super Lawyers and Top 50 Women Virginia Super Lawyers, named Legal Elite by Virginia Business magazine, as well as Top Lawyer by Coastal Virginia Magazine; AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell; and she’s achieved a 10.0 rating by AVVO. She has also served as moderator, presenter and panelists for Virginia CLE, VTLA and NBI (National Business Institute).
Outside of the law, Allison has served on the Board of Directors for REACH (Reading Enriches All Children), Inc., a local non-profit. She also spends as much time as possible with her husband, son and pup. They thoroughly enjoy being outdoors. When they are not at the beach or swimming in their pool, they enjoy fishing, paddle boarding, camping and hiking. Allison is also an avid reader and loves a good suspense novel.
Overview
- English
- Loyola University New Orleans, JD, graduated 2001
- Old Dominion University, Bachelor of Science, graduated 1996
- Virginia, 2003
- Family Law Coalition - Member (2015-present)
- Reading Enhances All Children - President (2009-2016)
- Virginia Bar Association - Family Law Division - Member
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - President- Elect
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - Golf Committee - Chair (2018)
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - Golf Committee - Co-chair (2017)
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - Membership Committee - Co-chair (2010-2012)
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - Young Lawyers Committee - Chair (2003-2006)
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association - Member
- American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) - Treasurer
- English
- Virginia, 2003
- Family Law Coalition - Member (2015-present)
- Reading Enhances All Children - President (2009-2016)
- Virginia Bar Association - Family Law Division - Member
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - President- Elect
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - Golf Committee - Chair (2018)
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - Golf Committee - Co-chair (2017)
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - Membership Committee - Co-chair (2010-2012)
- Virginia Beach Bar Association - Young Lawyers Committee - Chair (2003-2006)
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association - Member
- American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) - Treasurer
- Loyola University New Orleans, JD, graduated 2001
- Old Dominion University, Bachelor of Science, graduated 1996
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Family Law, Norfolk (2023)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Family Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Family Law
Awards:
- 2019-2022 Super Lawyer from SuperLawyers.com
- 2017-2023 Top Lawyer from Coastal Virginia Magazine
- 2007, 2009, 2011-2014 Rising Star from SuperLawyers.com
- 2013, 2014, 2018-2021 Legal Elite from Virginia Business Magazine
- 2019-2023 Best Lawyers - Family Law from Best Lawyers in America
- Avvo 10.0 Rating
- AV Preeminent from Martindale-Hubbell
- 2023 Lawyer of the Year - Family Law - Norfolk - Best Lawyers
News & Media
Q&A
My practices focuses solely on family law and has been by sole focus since 2006. I strive to have a digital practice which allows me access to my files wherever I am. While I have amazing support staff, I try to maintain communication directly with my clients, rather than through my staff. I believe it is important for clients to be able to reach me should they have any questions or concerns.
Am I entitled to spousal support and how long will I receive it? The amount of spousal support depends on the incomes and needs of the parties. In Virginia, spousal support is based on several factors and not bound by guidelines. Clients need to understand that the amount of spousal support is not black and white. The length of time also depends on many factors, but the most important is the length of the marriage. While there is no statute which states the length of time should be half one the length of the marriage, it is common to use that as a guidepost, especially for marriages that are less than 20 years. The length can also depend on the health of the parties, their education and the age of any children.
Another common question is can I get full custody of my child(ren). In Virginia, there is legal custody and physical custody. Attorneys rarely refer to it as "full" custody so I ask them to clarify what they are seeking. Granting one parent sole legal custody is rare and the trend has been towards more shared physical arrangements rather than granting one parent primary physical custody.
Another common question is can I get full custody of my child(ren). In Virginia, there is legal custody and physical custody. Attorneys rarely refer to it as "full" custody so I ask them to clarify what they are seeking. Granting one parent sole legal custody is rare and the trend has been towards more shared physical arrangements rather than granting one parent primary physical custody.
Practicing in Virginia Beach means we have a lot of military divorces. Since the United States Supreme Court issued their opinion the Howell v. Howell case, I have seen a rise in cases where the military member receives Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and by doing so, reduces the amount the former spouse receives from the military retirement. Since CRSC is considered disability pay, it is not taxed like military retired pay is but that also means it is not divisible in a divorce. Since CRSC reduces the retired pay, it also reduces the amount of retired pay the former spouse would have gotten if the military member did not receive CRSC. I had a case where the military member was put on a permanent disability list prior to retirement and thus, when he retired, all of his retired pay was considered CRSC pay. This meant that the former spouse did not receive anything from the military retired pay. The parties' agreement awarded the former spouse 50% of the marital share of the retired pay and the Final Decree added indemnification language which required my client to indemnify the former spouse for any loss in the amount she received from his military retirement should he opt for disability pay. I argued that under the Howell v. Howell case, the indemnification language was improper and void. The Court agreed but found that since Howell v. Howell came out after the Final Decree was entered in this case, it didn't apply. I intended to appeal this ruling because Howell v. Howell merely interpreted old law. It did not create new law. There is also a very similar case pending on appeal in the Virginia Supreme Court on this same issue. It will be interesting to see what the Supreme Court says.
Remaining patient and maintaining compassion. Our clients are going what may be the worst time of their lives. They are often emotional, scared and fearful of what's to come. Sometimes their thoughts and actions are irrational due to their emotional state. Being understanding and patient, explaining the process and the realities of the situation is important and sometimes difficult, especially when you may be having a bad day yourself.
My parents divorced when I was 6. It was tough and my parents' relationship or lack thereof seemed to always be at the forefront, especially during special occasions. I have known for as long as I can remember that I wanted to be an attorney and family law was something I wanted to do because of my experience as a child.
I have been blessed to have some great mentors in my life. The attorney I worked for after I passed the bar had been a family law attorney for over 40 years. He taught me a lot. One of my family law colleagues also encouraged me to join the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and asked me to join the Family Law Coalition. Her encouragement, mentorship and friendship has had a significant impact on me and my practice.
I have been blessed to have some great mentors in my life. The attorney I worked for after I passed the bar had been a family law attorney for over 40 years. He taught me a lot. One of my family law colleagues also encouraged me to join the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and asked me to join the Family Law Coalition. Her encouragement, mentorship and friendship has had a significant impact on me and my practice.
I love to read. Reading relaxes me and is my escape sometimes. I also love to be outdoors. Hiking, paddle boarding or just sitting on the beach. The fresh air can do wonders for mind, body and soul.
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