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 being taken away from you. This fear can become a reality if the other parent is fighting for custody. Virginia law …
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, changes in income, potential alimony or child support payments, and a myriad of other financial considerations. Understanding and navigating these financial impacts is crucial to safeguarding one’s …
Would you want your ex-spouse to maintain a power of attorney if you were to have an accident or get seriously ill? If you have gotten a divorce recently or you are planning to get one soon, it may be worth revisiting your estate planning to avoid unpleasant surprises. At Melone Hatley, P.C., our divorce …
Divorce affects the entire family, not just the parents. If your parents are going through divorce or separation, then you know this is true. Talking to one or both of your parents at times could be challenging due to the changes and emotions you’ve gone through. One way to get over this uncomfortable time is …
You’ve tried for years, but no matter what you do, you can’t get it to work. You want to divorce your spouse, but how can you talk divorce with your spouse without offending them or starting a full-scale conflict? No optimal approach to ask for a divorce exists. When telling their spouse they desire a …
If you and your spouse are not getting along in your marriage, and there is no way to resolve your issues, it may be time to think about divorce. Going through Virginia divorce, however, can be very stressful and painful to all involved. First, you need to determine the grounds for divorce before officially filing. …
Going through divorce can be an emotional and painful process. You might be anxious about what will happen to your assets, particularly the marital home, once your divorce is finalized. Virginia divorce laws identify what property may be subject to equitable distribution between the two of you, and what property may remain separate. Continue reading …
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 a new credit card in your name so that you …
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 is crucial to help you: 1. NEVER Threaten Divorce Until …
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 way, it requires hours of paperwork and can be time-consuming, particularly if the divorce …
In Virginia, a parent who does not have primary physical custody of their child generally has a duty to pay child support. This duty can arise from either one parent filing in court for child support or from filing with the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE), for a determination and entry of an administrative …
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. In family law we often have one party’s word against the other – and the only other potential …
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? Virginia makes getting a divorce based on adultery …
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 they deserve because of a long, drawn-out battle. In many cases, they fail to realize how …
Put simply, a Grey Divorce, is any divorce for individuals over 50 years old or for individuals who have been married for more than 25 years. Having done Grey Divorces for several years, what I found online was a lot of vague descriptions and misinformation. In reality, a Grey Divorce operates similarly to any other …
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 negotiations, and even trial may only be the beginning. Common Issues After Divorce Vague or inexact …
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 vague terms, ensure statutory requirements are met, and to plan for the …
In any divorce or separation involving children, it’s important that the children understand what is happening and parents address their concerns at each stage. No matter their age or maturity level, every child will have some anxiety about the process and changes impacting their daily life. When you are going through the divorce process it …
