Family law is a broad area of law that covers a wide range of issues involving marriage and divorce. Many family law cases are complex, and attempting to resolve these issues on your own is unlikely to yield the results you seek. In fact, it can have a long-lasting negative impact on you and your family’s future. Fortunately, hiring an experienced family lawyer in Prince William County, VA, will give you the best chance of an outcome that meets your goals.
At Melone Hatley, P.C., our experienced team of family lawyers is aware of the emotional toll these cases can take on you, and we will provide you with the compassionate legal representation you need to achieve your goals. We will aggressively pursue the best outcome for your case. Reach out today to set up a free case consultation with one of our Client Service Coordinators.
Family Law Issues Our Firm Handles
At Melone Hatley, P.C., we handle all types of family law cases. We have the following legal professionals serving Prince William County ready to take on your case:
- Prenuptial agreement lawyers
- Divorce lawyers
- Custody lawyers
- Child support lawyers
- Spousal support lawyers
- Divorce modification lawyers
Schedule your free meeting with our team today to see if our Family Law Lawyers can help you.
The Importance of a Prenuptial Agreement
Although family lawyers are most commonly needed when going through a divorce, when considering a prenuptial agreement, hiring an experienced family attorney can prove critical to your future success. Before you sign a prenup, you must fully understand all the legal implications of the agreement and what implications these provisions will have on your future.
Prenuptial agreements range in complexity based on individual circumstances. While some are simple, addressing the division of specific assets in the event of a divorce, others are more comprehensive, detailing resolutions for every potential issue that could arise should the marriage dissolve.
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Critical Issues in Divorce: Protecting Your Future
Even if your divorce is amicable and you and your former spouse are on good terms, it will still be stressful and can be costly if handled incorrectly. You will need to resolve many issues that will impact you and your family’s life for years to come. The specific concerns you will need to address will vary depending on the details of your marriage and your life.
Some of the most common and contentious issues that arise when going through a divorce include:
- Spousal support
- Custody and visitation of shared children
- Child support
- Division of all assets, including any pension or retirement accounts
- Division of property, including any homes or businesses
It is critical to consider your long-term future during a divorce. Unfortunately, your current emotional state can make it challenging to look ahead. The experienced attorneys at our firm will keep an eye on the big picture as we help you navigate the divorce process, providing you with an objective point of view and protecting your interests.
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Unique Challenges in Military Divorces
If you or your spouse are in the military, you are accustomed to unique challenges; divorce is no different. Dealing with military divorces presents unique challenges that do not apply to civilian divorces. The Prince William County military divorce lawyers at our firm have been helping servicemen and women through the divorce process for years. We will keep you updated on all developments in your case, even if you are not able to be physically present.
The reality is that your military divorce case will be unique, and we will build our legal strategy based on the specifics of your situation. We will help protect your rights while working to prevent you from making sacrifices that will inhibit you from achieving your goals.
Schedule a call with one of our client services coordinators today
Addressing Custody Disputes With Compassion and Expertise
Custody battles tend to be the most emotionally charged part of any divorce involving children. These disputes can get ugly and leave your children caught in the middle. The reality is that the best time to fight for your right to be a parent to your children is during this divorce process. So, it is not uncommon for your case to need to go to court.
If your divorce involves children, a judge will evaluate the details of your case and make a custody ruling that they deem to be in the best interest of your children pursuant to Virginia Code 20-124.3. Our experienced team will be by your side throughout the process, including working with the guardian ad litem and ensuring your custody and visitation goals are being pursued.
Critical Considerations for Child Support Decisions
After custody and visitation, the next biggest issue that needs to be resolved in divorces involving children is child support. The court will consider several factors before deciding on child support under Virginia Code 20-108.2, including:
- Your custody arrangement
- The financial needs of your children
- The financial means of both you and your former spouse
- If each parent has the children for more than 90 overnights per year, the number of nights you have.
If you have children with special needs, the judge in your case will likely deviate from the standard child support guidelines to ensure the needs of your children are met.
Having an experienced child support attorney by your side during this process can be critical, whether you are paying or receiving support. Your lawyer will help protect your rights and ensure the court properly calculates the payment amounts.
Determining Spousal Support: Factors and Duration
Spousal support is another important issue to resolve in most divorce cases. The judge presiding over your case will consider many factors to determine how much to award for spousal support and how long payments will last according to Virginia Code 20-107.2. Some of the biggest factors that influence the size of spousal support payments include:
- The current employment status of both parties
- The financial needs of both parties
- The earning capacity of both parties
- Any additional income sources for either party
When determining how long spousal support payments will last, the primary factor taken into consideration is how long you were married. Lifetime support may be awarded for longer marriages.
Modifying Divorce Agreements for Changing Circumstances
Over time, the terms of your divorce agreement or order may no longer make sense due to changes in your life or the lives of your former spouse or children. If alterations need to be made, you can petition the court to make modifications to the original settlement or order.
Whether you or your ex-spouse are the one filing to change the terms of your divorce, hiring an experienced divorce modifications lawyer is essential to ensuring your interests are protected. The aspects of a divorce that are most often modified are custody and visitation, child support, and spousal support.
Get Help from an Experienced Family Lawyer in Prince William County Today
Whether you are considering signing a prenuptial agreement, going through a divorce, or attempting to alter the terms of a divorce agreement or order, an experienced family attorney in Prince William County will help you understand your rights and the implications of any legal actions.
At Melone Hatley, P.C., we will use our extensive experience handling family law cases to help secure a favorable result for your case. Contact us through our website or by phone to set up an initial case evaluation with a member of our team today.
Schedule a call with one of our client services coordinators today.
