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When summer winds down, and the back-to-school rush begins, parents everywhere get laser-focused on buying school supplies, updating last year’s wardrobe, and getting everybody back into a routine. But for divorced parents, legal preparation is another essential back-to-school task. Ensuring that your custody agreements, emergency contacts, and educational decision-making rights are updated can make a …

Making the decision to divorce isn’t easy. It’s emotional. It’s personal. It’s financially overwhelming. And in most cases, you have no idea where to start. Whether you’ve been considering this for months or the decision has come suddenly, preparing yourself can make a significant difference in how things unfold. At Melone Hatley, P.C., we believe …

Summer is supposed to be a low-key time for kids to take a break from school and unwind. But for divorced co-parents, summer is often anything but low-key. It can even become a battleground when parents make unilateral changes to their parenting schedules. Whether it’s deciding to take a last-minute vacation or signing the kids …

Summer break is here, and your kids are overjoyed. No school. Sleeping in. Long days and lots of free time.  But if you’re co-parenting, summer may be less about fun and more about conflict, especially when the structure of the school year is gone, and you’re trying to agree on schedules, who takes care of …

Summer in Richmond is all about sunshine, laid-back days, road trips, and family time. However, for co-parents, summer can also be stressful, especially when juggling custody schedules. At Melone Hatley, P.C., our Richmond family law attorneys are here to help guide you through the challenges of co-parenting. If you’re navigating shared custody this summer, here …

Let’s face it. Summer break sounds great in theory – long, lazy, sunny days with no early hours or school activities looming over your shoulder. But for many co-parents, summer often brings a whole new set of stressors. The structured routine of school is gone, and schedules get complicated. On top of that, you and …

When it comes to fatherhood, your legal rights shouldn’t depend on your marital status. However, unmarried dads must take specific steps in Virginia to ensure they have the same rights and responsibilities as married fathers. If you are an unmarried father and you hope to play a meaningful role in your child’s life, understanding your …

Father’s Day is meant to celebrate the important role dads play in their children’s lives. But for many dads, especially those navigating custody and visitation disputes, Father’s Day can also be a bittersweet reminder of time lost or the ongoing struggle to maintain a meaningful presence with their children. At Melone Hatley, P.C., we believe …

Father’s Day. It’s a reminder of the vital role that dads play in their children’s lives. But for dads who have recently gone through a divorce, Father’s Day can bring up some complicated feelings. As a newly divorced dad, you may be feeling sidelined or unsure of how to create new traditions in a world …