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Recent Blog Posts

What Does “Best Interest of the Child” Mean?

October 16, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Family Law

Having children is one of life’s most joyful experiences for countless people in the US today. As a parent, however, you might worry that something may happen one day that leads to your children be…

What is the Divorce Process in North Carolina?

September 1, 2023 | Ben Hefferon | Uncategorized

Divorce is an unpleasant reality for many people in North Carolina. The divorce rate in 2021 was 3.2 per 1000 people, an increase compared to the previous year. Divorces are most likely to happen i…

How Property is Divided in a North Carolina Divorce

August 24, 2023 | Ben Hefferon | Divorce

If you are considering divorce or currently dealing with the divorce process, you know divorce is painful and time-consuming even when both spouses agree on the terms of the divorce. The division o…

Navigating Separation: Dividing and Selling Assets with Care

August 23, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Divorce

Separation is a life-altering event that often necessitates the division and sale of assets acquired during the course of a marriage. This process can be emotionally challenging, as it involves unt…

The Financial Impact of Divorce

August 10, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Divorce

Divorce is a life-altering event that can have far-reaching consequences, particularly in the realm of personal finances. The dissolution of a marriage often involves the division of assets, change…

How is a Military Divorce Affected by Adultery?

July 21, 2023 | Charles Hatley | Divorce, Military

Facing separation or divorce can be stressful and overwhelming for all involved, especially if it involves allegations of adultery. Military members are held to a higher standard of conduct than ci…

Is Aretha Franklin’s Will Found In Her Couch Valid?

July 17, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Estate Planning

When it comes to estate planning – clarity rules. Aretha Franklin’s passing resulted in drawn out litigation over the past 4 years that has finally ended with a two-day trial. Ms. Franklin handwrot…

How to Co-Parent your Special Needs Child

July 17, 2023 | Charles Hatley | Special Needs

According to the 2019 U.S. Census, approximately 2.6 million U.S. households have at least one child with a disability. Divorce and co-parenting children is difficult enough, but the process become…

Relocation with a Child Post Separation or Divorce

July 14, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Child Custody

When families break up, it can be a very difficult process. Starting over can be stressful, and it is even more nerve-racking when you are attempting to relocate with a child. When it comes to relo…

Disabled Parents and their Custody Rights

June 9, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Child Custody

Child custody disputes are a complex process. If you are a disabled parent, or on SSDI, SSI, or VA Benefits, you might feel as if you are at a disadvantage in receiving a fair outcome in a custody …

Steps to Filing a Divorce in the Military

June 6, 2023 | Charles Hatley | Divorce, Military

Being in the military can add stress to an already difficult relationship that can ultimately end in divorce. While the divorce rate for military families is low, around 3 percent overall, the issu…

How Do You Prove Parental Alienation Syndrome?

May 3, 2023 | Ben Hefferon | Family Law

Divorces often cause tension between ex-spouses. When a child is involved, the parents cannot simply go their separate ways. They must continue to co-parent their child or children. Unfortunately, …

How Will Divorce Divide a Military Pension?

April 28, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Divorce, Military

No matter the circumstances that have prompted your divorce, going through the divorce process can be tedious and complex. If one or both of you are service members, questions such as what happens …

In a Military Divorce, What is the Spouse Entitled to?

April 21, 2023 | Charles Hatley | Military

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In North Carolina Can You Get Divorced While Deployed?

April 12, 2023 | Ben Hefferon | Divorce, Military

For North Carolina military couples, it can be difficult to come to terms with the situation of a divorce while one spouse is deployed. If your relationship has come to an end and you are in the mi…

How Long Does a Military Divorce Take?

March 14, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Military

Military divorce carries the same tediousness as a civilian divorce, but the timeline can be different because divorce for a military couple has different rules. The emotional burden for military f…

Child Support Laws for an Adult Child with Disabilities

March 7, 2023 | Charles Hatley | Child Custody, Special Needs

There is an expectation and duty for a parent to support their child and to make decisions on their behalf until they reach adulthood . Yet, these responsibilities can extend much longer when the c…

Receiving Custody of a Special Needs Child in Virginia

March 3, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Child Custody

Child custody cases involving special needs children tend to be more complex and involve more elements than other custody cases. Your special needs child may not fully understand what is happening …

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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