Reston Family Law

The decision to end a marriage is rarely simple. Whether you are pursuing an uncontested no-fault divorce or a highly contested fault-based divorce in Virginia, the process requires you to make significant decisions that can affect your future:

• Custody and visitation of your children
• Child support
• Spousal support
• Division of property, including homes and businesses
• Division of assets, including retirement and pension accounts

You will want to ensure that your rights are protected, and your case is handled professionally in order to reach the best possible terms.

Our Reston divorce attorneys guide you through each phase, from initial filing through the final judgment, ensuring your rights are protected, and your goals remain front and center. Through responsive service and highly experienced legal insight, we aim to make a very difficult process more manageable so you can have peace of mind.

Custody decisions are highly emotional – and profoundly important to your relationship with your children. Virginia courts determine custody based on the best interests of the child, but every family’s situation is different.

Our child custody attorneys in Reston work closely with you to create strong parenting plans and custody agreements that preserve your role in your child’s life and support their development. Whether through negotiation or through court decisions, we will advocate for the outcome that works best for you and your family.

Raising a child is a shared legal responsibility, and child support ensures both parents are contributing to their child’s needs. Virginia uses an income-based formula for this, but certain circumstances can also influence this number.

We work to ensure all relevant factors are accounted for, whether you are seeking child support, contesting it, or requesting a modification. Our goal is to seek an order that is fair and sustainable.

Spousal support, also called alimony, isn’t automatically granted in Virginia. The courts’ decisions are based on many factors including the requesting spouse’s financial needs, their earning potential, and the duration of the marriage. Fault-based grounds can also be a factor.

At Melone Hatley, P.C., we represent clients seeking or contesting spousal support, providing the legal and financial analysis needed to achieve a fair result, either through settlement or litigation.

Dividing marital property during a divorce is more than just splitting belongings. It’s also about establishing a secure future. Virginia’s equitable distribution laws require identifying marital vs. separate property, assigning accurate values, and determining fair division.

At Melone Hatley, P.C., we handle high-value and complex assets, including real estate, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, and business interests. Our goal is to position you for long-term financial stability and success.

Military divorces must comply with both state and federal laws, such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act (USFSPA). Issues like jurisdiction, the timing of legal proceedings, division of military benefits, and access to benefits like Tricare will require experienced legal guidance.

Our Reston military divorce attorneys understand the unique challenges of military divorce and work with our dedicated military service members and their spouses to ensure clarity and fairness in their proceedings.

When your life changes, your legal orders may also need to change. If you have experienced a substantial shift, such as a new job, relocation, or significant change in income, you may be eligible for a modification of an existing order.

Our family law attorneys know that it can be difficult to qualify for a modification without extensive evidence. We will help you assess whether your situation qualifies and represent you in pursuing or opposing changes to your existing custody, support, or parenting arrangements.

Because Virginia does not offer a formal legal separation status, a separation agreement can provide structure and peace of mind while you and your spouse live apart.

We help clients draft and negotiate detailed agreements that address financial obligations, living arrangements, child custody, and more, providing essential protection during a separation period as well as laying the groundwork for an eventual divorce.

Having a clear agreement before or during marriage can prevent disputes and protect your financial interests. Pre- and postnuptial agreements can address asset division, spousal support, business ownership, and more.

At Melone Hatley, P.C., our skilled family law attorneys assist clients with drafting, reviewing and enforcing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements that are fair, enforceable, and customized to your needs and your lifestyle.

Divorces that involve children with special needs require compassion, thoughtful planning, and extensive advocacy. Custody and support must account for long-term care, therapies, educational accommodations, and transitions into adulthood.

Our attorneys are experienced in crafting support and parenting plans that reflect the unique circumstances of children with special needs. We work to ensure your child’s well-being and your family’s stability for years to come so you can have peace of mind.

Family transitions often call for updates to your long-term legal planning. Whether you are navigating a divorce, remarrying, or need to create a comprehensive estate plan to protect your financial stability and legacy, our skilled estate planning attorneys in Reston are here to help.

We offer integrated estate planning services to ensure your will, trust, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations match your evolving family needs, protecting the people who matter most.