Your marriage feels like it is at a crossroads. Things feel uncertain, and you’re not sure what your next steps should be. Should you take some time apart to get some breathing room, or is this a sign that your relationship is already coming to an end? For many couples, considering a separation can …
You and your spouse are considering ending your marriage through a no-fault divorce. But in Virginia, seeking a no-fault divorce requires spouses to separate for a period of time first. This means that while you’re apart, you are still legally married and still subject to everything your spouse does, and vice versa. In Virginia, a …
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 …
Divorce is challenging – emotionally, legally, and financially. But one of the best ways to reduce the overwhelm is to get organized and strategic, especially when it comes to your finances. Mid-year is an ideal time to take a step back, evaluate your financial situation, and make necessary adjustments before the tax year gets away …
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 …
For many of us, July brings visions of family picnics, warm summer nights, and fireworks. But for military families, July often signals something far more disruptive to their lives – PCS season. Permanent Change of Station orders are routine for military families, but when parents are separated or divorced with custody agreements in place, they …
Divorce is never an easy decision, but if you’re considering ending your marriage in Florida, you will want to understand residency requirements before you file. Here, we take a look at Florida’s requirements to ensure you have met them before you file your petition. Every state has its own laws and rules governing divorce, and …
Divorce has come a long way from what it used to be. While the emotional and financial challenges of ending a marriage remain, the legal system has made the divorce process far more manageable and less contentious over the last several decades. One of the biggest changes was the move away from fault-based divorce, where …
If you are going through a divorce or even just considering one, chances are you’ve heard the horror stories. “She took him for everything he had!” “He walked away with the house, the kids, even the dog!” These stories are enough to strike fear into the heart of anyone considering a divorce. But how true …
Divorce is never easy, and it gets even more complicated when infidelity is involved. If you are navigating a divorce in Florida and wondering how an affair could affect alimony, especially under the new alimony laws, you’re not alone. Florida recently passed significant changes to how spousal support is awarded, and yes, adultery can make …
Adultery is one of the most painful betrayals in a marriage. But while it’s one of the most common causes of divorce today, it may or may not really matter in a divorce proceeding. How can adultery affect what you get or don’t get in your divorce settlement? And how do you prove your spouse’s …
Suspecting that your spouse has been unfaithful can feel like a gut punch. The emotional fallout, the anger, the confusion, and the grief can feel overwhelming. If your suspicions have led you to consider a divorce, could you use adultery as grounds? And would you need to prove it? Let’s take a closer look at …
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 …
The decision to divorce is never an easy one, and deciding when to file can further complicate it. After all, there’s never a “good” time to divorce. But when divorce is inevitable, timing can be everything, and each season has its advantages and disadvantages. Many people consider the summer months the best for taking this …
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 …
