Articles By: Rebecca Melone

Rebecca Melone established Melone Hatley P.C. in 2014 with the goal of helping families with a range of legal services from estate and family law to traffic tickets and misdemeanor criminal matters.

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7 Steps to Separate your Life in the Divorce Process

7 Steps to Separate your Life in the Divorce Process

August 8, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

There are a lot of things to accomplish when you are going through divorce and starting your new separate life. Step 1: Safeguard Your Credit One of the most important steps you can take is to safeguard your credit. You want to think about getting…

10 Things You Must Do Before You File For Divorce

10 Things You Must Do Before You File For Divorce

August 6, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

At Melone Hatley, PC, we understand that going through divorce is never easy. However, there are some steps you can take today to ease the burden and properly plan, so you don’t have a long-drawn-out process. Here is a list of 10 things we think i…

A Guide to Divorce in Virginia

A Guide to Divorce in Virginia

July 19, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

The end of matrimony can be a stressful, unpleasant time that can do irreparable damage to relationships and even your personal psyche. Sometimes, however, it can also be a time for celebration if one manages to escape an abusive spouse. Either wa…

What Is a Divorce Decree?

What Is a Divorce Decree?

July 18, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

Divorce is a stressful and painful process that can be emotionally devastating. If there are children involved, the divorce can stretch on for a long time due to custody battles and arrangements. A divorce decree signals the end of a marriage in t…

Do I Need a Separation Agreement in Virginia?

Do I Need a Separation Agreement in Virginia?

May 3, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

Unlike many other states, legal separation in Virginia is not granted by the courts. Instead, a husband and wife, wishing to separate and divorce, may simply live apart, even under the same roof. It is strongly advised, though, that they enter in…

Mental Health Issues in Custody Cases

Mental Health Issues in Custody Cases

April 4, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

In recent years there has been a sharp increase in accusations of mental health issues in child custody cases. Parents who have a history of any mental health diagnosis are often faced with attacks based on their condition when requesting custody….

What You Need to Know About Getting Divorced in Virginia

What You Need to Know About Getting Divorced in Virginia

March 28, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

Deciding it’s time to end your marriage is difficult and stressful. Because obtaining a divorce is a legal process, you need to understand your rights and how the process works. This brief guide will walk you through the basic legal steps and give…

Children’s Testimony in Virginia

Children’s Testimony in Virginia

February 27, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

In any custody case, parents may want the court to hear directly from their children. The children can provide information about the parent’s relationship, any abuse they have experienced, and other relevant events for the court’s consideration. I…

Mask or No Mask – Who Gets to Choose?

Mask or No Mask – Who Gets to Choose?

January 28, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

Up until last week, Virginia public schools required all students to wear a face covering during school. Now, the governor has issued new guidance that parents may elect whether or not their student has to wear a mask. But for divorced or separate…

Proving Adultery in Your Divorce Case

Proving Adultery in Your Divorce Case

January 17, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

It’s more than a feeling … your spouse stays out late, “at work,” when they’re at home they’re distracted and on their devices … they have a “friend” who is just a little too close. You know something is wrong, but could you prove it in court? Vir…

Should You Use Social Media During Divorce?

Should You Use Social Media During Divorce?

January 4, 2022 | Rebecca Melone

Social media has become a huge portion of our lives – from sharing our daily activities, funny anecdotes, photos of our families and our food, friends and colleagues get a glimpse into your private life that they otherwise would not have access to…

12 Mistakes You Should Avoid During a Divorce

12 Mistakes You Should Avoid During a Divorce

December 15, 2021 | Rebecca Melone

Unfortunately, for many people, some of the biggest mistakes that they make in their life come about during a divorce. The divorce process is unfamiliar, stressful, and often painful. There’s a lot at stake. Often, people settle for less than th…

I’m Separated and Dating – Will It Hurt My Case?

I’m Separated and Dating – Will It Hurt My Case?

December 14, 2021 | Rebecca Melone

You’ve been through the hard part – you and your spouse separated and you’ve been moving through your divorce. You start living your separate lives and realizing you are ready to move on. But what about your divorce? If your case isn’t final yet, …

Child Custody in Virginia.. Can I Relocate Out of State?

Child Custody in Virginia.. Can I Relocate Out of State?

December 3, 2021 | Rebecca Melone

Let’s start with a real-life scenario: John and Susan share physical custody of their daughter, Mary. They live about 10 minutes apart in the same Virginia town, and though Mary’s primary residence is with her mother, Susan, John spends several d…

How Do I Separate From My Spouse in Virginia?

How Do I Separate From My Spouse in Virginia?

November 19, 2021 | Rebecca Melone

So you’ve made the difficult decision – the relationship is not working, and you and your spouse need to part ways. What’s first – do you file for divorce? How do you get separated? For clients already facing a difficult time, figuring out the leg…

So You’re Officially Divorced … Now What?

So You’re Officially Divorced … Now What?

November 9, 2021 | Rebecca Melone

Even after your divorce case is final, the work may not be done. Our clients are often surprised that everything may not be over just because the divorce has been signed. The emotionally draining process of exchanging information, settlement negot…

Who Inherits If No Will In Virginia?

Who Inherits If No Will In Virginia?

October 31, 2021 | Rebecca Melone

Shockingly, some 55 percent of American adults have neither a will nor any other type of estate plan in place. This number has remained fairly steady for the past fifteen years and does not take into account the number of adults who have put medic…

What Happens if We Agree With Divorce?

What Happens if We Agree With Divorce?

October 4, 2021 | Rebecca Melone

Sometimes co-parents are able to work out terms and schedules without court involvement. In these cases we are often asked – “Do I still need an attorney?” It’s always advisable to have an attorney review or draft your agreement to fill in any vag…

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I can't say enough good things about Erica Hawkins. She exceeded my expectations and she helped me at one of my lowest points in my life. Not only was she professional and timely she was understanding and compassionate. In my experience it is hard...

L.S.
It's hard to write a review for a divorce attorney as there are no real winners when breaking up a family. My attorney, Stephen Lukacs, was prompt in response time, understanding of my concerns, patient with my occasional panicky moments, and stay...

M.F.
I can only rate up to 5, but the amount of work my lawyer Stephen Lukacs did for me is worth at least a thousand. I cannot begin to describe what a blessing all of Melone Hatley has been. There is no better option you could go with. My paralegal J...

T.F.
Julia has been a great lawyer for me during this tough time going through my divorce. She has given great legal advice every step of the way and the timeliness of her responses has been great. She has helped ease my anxiety and gives me hope that ...

T.R.
Stephen Lukacs has been a blessing for my family, so far. We are still working together, but if we ever have any questions, he responds within the same day via email. He has been prompt, attentive, honest, understanding of my wants, informative an...

D.D.
Julia has been a great lawyer for me during this tough time going through my divorce. She has given great legal advice every step of the way and the timeliness of her responses has been great. She has helped ease my anxiety and gives me hope that ...

T.R.
I had a great experience with this firm. Ms. Julia, Ms. Angela, and the rest of the team were very helpful during the process. The long process became manageable once they took my case. They were patient with me and explained everything, every ste...

C.G.
I am extremely happy with my experience and would highly recommend Melone Hatley. Everyone who I interacted with at the firm was very professional, helpful and kind. I worked directly with Brian and he was deeply knowledgeable and compassionate wh...

B.C.
My wife and I were extremely pleased with the level of care and expertise given to us by Melone Hatley, P.C. Service provided – Trust

M.A.
I highly recommend Melone Hatley. The staff that I have been exposed to are extremely helpful and knowledgeable.

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