Divorce and Family Law
Steve’s practice is focused on family law, including divorce, the division of property, custody and visitation, support, settlement agreements, and prenuptial agreements. He follows a client-centered approach in which he learns his client’s goals and works with each client to create a strategy to meet those goals. Sometimes the goals are a negotiated settlement with a focus on the best interests of the children. In other cases, negotiations may not be successful and litigation is necessary. The majority of Steve’s family law cases settle, but he has extensive experience litigating a wide range of family law issues, from simple motions to multi-week trials.
Professional Recognition
Steve has been listed by the Virginia Business magazine as one of the Legal Elite in the Family/Domestic Relations Practice area, he has been selected to the Virginia Super Lawyers list in the Family Law practice area, he is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, he is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and he is included in The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Family Law.
Collaborative Law and Mediation
Steve has received the collaborative law training, and he regularly represents clients in mediation. In addition, Steve is himself trained as a mediator, and he provides mediation services for parties seeking to resolve divorce or family law related issues or disputes.
Professional Training
- National Trial Advocacy College
- Collaborative Divorce Certification
- Mediation Training
Books, Articles and Lectures
Book
- Divorce in Virginia: The Legal Process, Your Rights, and What to Expect, Copyright 2021 by Steven L. Raynor.
Articles
- Using the VSB Family Law Section “Multiple Custody” Online Worksheets “(Co-Author with Mitchell Broudy) published by the Virginia Family Law Quarterly, Fall 2018”;
- “Real Estate Issues in Divorce Cases,” published by the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section, Family Law News, Winter 2012;
- “Third Party Visitation in Virginia,” published in the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section, Family Law News, Spring 2010;
- “Third Party Custody in Virginia,” published in the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section, Family Law News, Winter 2009.
Lectures
- “Virginia Family Law Legislative Update,” seminar sponsored by the Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 2023;
- “Prenuptial Agreements,” seminar sponsored by Virginia CLE, 2020;
- “Use of Expert Witnesses in Family Law Cases,” seminar sponsored by Virginia CLE, 2016;
- “Social Security and Divorce,” short topic presented as part of seminar sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association, Domestic Relations Section, 2015;
- “Same-Sex Marriage: A Review of Developing Law,” seminar sponsored by Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 2014;
- “Tax Tips for Divorce Attorneys,” Moderator and Speaker at Seminar sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association, Domestic Relations Section, 2013;
- “Family Law Update 2010-2011,” Seminar sponsored by the Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 2011;
- “Presenting and Defending Against Mental Health Expert Testimony in Custody and Visitation Cases,” Seminar sponsored by the Virginia Bar Association, Domestic Relations Section, 2011;
- “Virginia Equitable Distribution: Tracing,” seminar sponsored by Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 2010;
- “The Statutory basis of Family Law in Virginia,” seminar sponsored by Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 2009;
- “Recent Case Law Developments,” seminar sponsored by Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 2008;
- “Selected Constitutional Law Cases,” class presented as part of Martin & Raynor, P.C. Law School for Non-Lawyers, 2008;
- “Family Law,” class presented as part of Martin & Raynor, P.C. Law School for Non-Lawyers, 2007;
- “Introduction to the Law: Constitutional and Federal Law,” class presented as part of Martin & Raynor, P.C. Law School for Non-Lawyers, 2006;
- “Spousal Support in Virginia,” seminar sponsored by Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 2003;
- “Review of Equitable Distribution in Virginia,” seminar sponsored by Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 2000;
- “Spousal Support: A Review of New Section 20-107.1,” seminar sponsored by Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 1999;
- “Dividing Retirement Benefits in Divorce Cases,” seminar sponsored by Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 1998;
- “Imputed Income in Child Support and Spousal Support Cases,” seminar sponsored by Virginia Continuing Legal Education, 1997;
- “Spousal Support,” seminar sponsored by Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, 1996.
Publication Links
- Divorce in Virginia
- Separation and Divorce Handbook
- Collaborative Divorce
- Third Party Visitation in Virginia
- Third Party Custody in Virginia
- Real Estate Issues in Divorce Cases
- Virginia Family Law Code Finder
Personal
Steve was born in Charlottesville and resides in Albemarle County, Virginia. He and his wife, Chloe, have four children.