Blog: Child Custody

Legal Guidance on Adjusting Custody Schedules to Fit Your New Routines As children grow, families relocate, and work schedules shift, a custody schedule that once met everyone’s needs may feel out of sync with your new reality — especially when a new school year rolls around. Fortunately, custody schedules can be modified, but they also …

When families go through custody disputes, few issues carry as much weight with the court as domestic violence. Allegations or evidence of abuse have the power to reshape the course of a custody case, especially when the safety and well-being of children are at stake. In Texas, family courts are tasked with making critical decisions …

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 …

If you’re a separated or divorced parent living in Columbia, South Carolina and thinking about taking a trip with your kids this summer, it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities under South Carolina custody laws. Whether it’s a quick beach weekend or a family reunion across state lines, taking a trip with your children …

Summer break brings longer days, school-free schedules, and a different pace of family life. But for co-parents, it can also bring up custody and visitation challenges, given the less structured summertime pace. Can you modify your custody agreement just for the summer? And what happens if your co-parent isn’t cooperating? The good news is that …

Planning a summer vacation is always exciting. But if you’re divorced and sharing custody of your kids with your former spouse, it also means more than just booking reservations and packing your bags. Once a custody agreement is in place, any travel must be planned with legal and logistical considerations in mind. What was once …

When courts determine child custody, they typically make decisions that allow both parents to play an active role in their child’s life. This approach is rooted in the legal standard known as the best interest of the child, which guides all court custody decisions.  In most cases, courts believe that when children maintain strong relationships …

When navigating child support matters in Virginia, military parents often wonder how their benefits will impact their financial obligations. One of these benefits is the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Given Virginia’s strong military presence, this question arises frequently in family law cases. If you are a service member or co-parenting with one, understanding what …

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to foster understanding, reduce stigma, and support those facing mental health challenges. In the United States alone, approximately 1 in 5 adults experience a mental health issue each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar …

Winning a custody battle isn’t about being the perfect parent. It’s about demonstrating that you provide the most stable environment for your child. If you are navigating a custody dispute, understanding what judges truly look for can make all the difference in your custody case. Big Mistakes That Can Cost You Custody Custody battles are …