Prince William County Family Law
Helping You Resolve Your Most Important Family Legal Issues
For those going through difficult family matters like divorce, or other legal matters that might negatively impact your family, you deserve the most skilled legal representation available. Protecting the interests of our clients in their most vulnerable situations is our primary focus.
For more than 20 years Farrell & Croft has served the needs of Northern Virginia families from our offices located near the Prince William County Courthouse in Manassas, Virginia. We provide representation for men and women in cases involving adoption, custody, divorce, domestic violence, military divorce, pre-marital agreements, property distribution (including division of business ownership interests and stock options), protective orders, separation agreements, support, and visitation. We also provide personal injury representation and mediation services.
Working for Your Interests
At Farrell & Croft we understand that every family’s situation is unique. While we strive for amicable resolutions through negotiation and mediation we also understand that some legal matters can often become contentious and complicated. From the most basic issues such as an uncontested divorce to the more complicated issues involving closely held business interests, stock options, military benefits, and retirements accounts, we can aggressively protect your interests.
Whether for negotiation, mediation, or litigation, we have the right attorney to move the most complex family law issue efficiently to resolution. If you have a family law issue in Prince William County, you need representation by a seasoned, local law firm with a proven track record. Let Farrell & Croft put our experience to work for you.
Kathleen Latham Farrell, Attorney
BAR
ADMISSIONS
- Virginia State Bar, 1988
EDUCATION
- University of Richmond, TC Williams School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1988 - Virginia Tech
B.S., Business Administration, 1979
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Family Law
Divorce, Separation Agreements, Custody, Child Support,Spousal Support, Property Distribution, Protective Orders, Family Abuse, Modification of Custody, Modification of Support, Enforcement of Court Orders - Personal Injury Law
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Virginia State Bar
Family Law Section, Member - Prince William County Bar Association, 1988-
present
President, 2002
Family Law Committee, Co-Chair, 1995 to 1999
Community Outreach Committee, Chairperson, 2002-2006
Judicial Liaison Committee, Chairperson, 2002
Judicial Screening Committee, Member, two terms, most recently 2007 to present - Prince William County Bar Foundation
Director, 2003 to present - Virginia Women Attorneys Association
Prince William County Chapter, Member, 2007 to present
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
- Virginia State Bar
Fifth District Disciplinary Committee, Member, 2004 - 2011 - Prince William County Circuit Court
Commissioner in Chancery - Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations
District Court
Conciliator, 2005 to 2007 - Fairfax County Circuit Court
Neutral Case Evaluator, Property Distribution Cases, 2003- present
AWARDS
- Prince William County Bar Association, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award, 2006
- Martindale Hubbell AV rated
SPECIAL TRAINING
- Mediation Training
BAR
ADMISSIONS
- Virginia State Bar, 1988
EDUCATION
- George Mason University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1988 - Virginia Commonwealth University
B.S., Administration of Justice and Public Safety (Juvenile Option), Minor in Psychology, 1980 - Rappahannock Mediation Center Training
Basic Mediation and Family and Divorce Mediation Training, 1993
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Family Law
Adoptions, Custody, Child Support, Divorce,Enforcement of Court Orders, Equitable Distribution, Family Abuse, Modification of Custody, Modification of Support, Pre-Marital Agreements, Property Distribution, Protective Orders, Separation Agreements, Spousal Support - Mediation
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Virginia State Bar
Member, Speakers Bureau 2000- - Prince William County Bar Association, 1988-
present
Secretary, 1991
Treasurer, 1992 - Prince William County Bar Foundation, Director, 2011 to present;
President-Elect
- Family Law Committee, Member 1989-2001
Family Law Committee, Chair, 1992-1994
Family Law Committee, Co-Chair, 1995 to 1999
Continuing Legal Education Committee, Chair, 2001-2006
Beat the Odds Mentor 2003 - - Virginia Women Attorneys Association
Prince William County Chapter, Founding President, 2007 - 2008
Prince William County Chapter, Board Member, 2007 -
State Organization, Director at Large 2007 -
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
- Prince William County Circuit Court
Commissioner in Chancery
Conciliator 2006 -
Special Commissioner of Accounts 1996-2003
Court appointed conservator 2003 - - Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations
District Court
Conciliator, 2005 -
AWARDS
- Virginia Business Legal Elite in Divorce, 2006
- Martindale Hubbell AV rated
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
- Seminar Instructor for The Women's Center on "The Smart Split"
- Pro Bono Representation for ACTS/Turning Points Domestic Violence Petitioners
- Beat the Odds Mentor
BAR
ADMISSIONS
- Virginia State Bar, 1999
- Illinois State Bar, 1992 (inactive)
EDUCATION
- Washington University in St. Louis School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1991 (Order of the Coif)
- Duke University, A.B. Economics and Political Science, 1984
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Family Law
Divorce, Separation Agreements, Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, Property Distribution, Protective Orders, Family Abuse, Modification of Custody, Modification of Support, Enforcement of Court Orders, pre-nuptial agreements, step-parent adoption, Guardian ad litem for children
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Virginia State Bar Association, 1999-present, Family Law Section, Member
- Prince William County Bar Association, 1999- present
- Fairfax County Bar Association, 1999-2013
- Beat the Odds Committee Member, 2004 - present
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2009-present, Family Law Section, Member
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
- Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Conciliator, 2005 - 2007
- Prince William County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Guardian ad Litem for children, 2009-present
AWARDS
- Martindale Hubbell AV rated
SPECIAL TRAINING
- Family Law Mediation Training
Sherie Anne Girard Kristiansen, Law Clerk, graduated cum laude from Arizona State University with a B.S. degree in Justice Studies and a minor in Psychology. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from the American University, Washington College of Law. Ms. Kristiansen interned with the Prince William County Attorney’s office as a summer law clerk. She is also fluent in French. Ms. Kristiansen provides trial preparation and case management.
Ann McWhirt, Office Manager Ann McWhirt has over 16 years of experience in customer service, office administration and volunteer coordination. She currently manages the office and acts as a liaison between counsel and clients and is responsible for maintaining the daily function of our office.
Melissa Ross and Kay Ranstead, Receptionists. Melissa Ross and Kay Ranstead are our receptionists. They are responsible for scheduling client appointments, facilitating client contact with the attorneys, and are instrumental in overseeing the tremendous volume of documents and information coming into and being sent out of our office on behalf of our clients.