If you are going through a family law issue, you know it can be incredibly complex. Trying to resolve matters without an attorney could result in an outcome that does not match your goals. Fortunately, an experienced family lawyer in Chesterfield County, VA, can help with your legal issues. The experienced family law attorneys at Melone Hatley, P.C. understand that your case can be emotionally charged and will represent you with compassion and understanding.
We will fight fiercely on your behalf to secure an outcome that aligns with your and your family’s goals. Get started today by giving us a call or completing our contact form and setting up a free case evaluation with one of our Client Services Coordinators to see the difference we can make for you.
Comprehensive Family Law Services in Chesterfield County
At Melone Hatley, P.C., our attorneys specialize in a wide range of family law matters, offering award-winning legal representation across Chesterfield County. Our dedicated legal team includes:
- Prenuptial agreement lawyers
- Divorce lawyers
- Custody lawyers
- Child support lawyers
- Spousal support lawyers
- Divorce modification lawyers
We are committed to providing personalized and effective legal solutions tailored to meet your unique goals.
Schedule your free meeting with our team today to see if our Family Lawyers can help you.
Prenuptial Agreements
Most people who need a family lawyer are going through a divorce. However, under certain conditions, you may need a family lawyer before you ever get married. If you are considering signing a prenuptial agreement before getting married, you need to be fully aware of all the legal implications that can apply to you and ensure that what you are signing is in your best interest.
Prenuptial agreements can significantly vary in complexity. Some agreements cover what will happen with a few specific assets should a marriage end in divorce, while others cover every aspect of how a potential divorce will be handled.
Before you sign a prenuptial agreement, you need to hire an experienced family lawyer serving Chesterfield County to help you review. You must have an attorney review and explain to you the terms of any agreement before you sign to ensure you fully understand all of the legal implications and the consequences of the prenup.
Chesterfield County Family Lawyer Near Me 800-479-8124
Divorce Issues
Even if you and your former spouse are going through an amicable divorce, it will still be stressful and can be costly. You will need to resolve many issues that will have long-lasting consequences on you and your family’s future. The exact issues that will need to be addressed will depend on the details of your marriage and your life.
Some of the most significant issues that commonly arise during a divorce include:
- Custody and visitation of any shared children
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Division of assets, including any pension, retirement accounts, or military retirement
- Division of property, including any homes and businesses
Thinking about your future is critical during any divorce. You need to make sure your long-term goals are protected, and your current emotional state can sometimes get in the way.
The experienced legal team at our firm will help you navigate the emotional aspects of the divorce process while providing you with an objective view of the best approach to take to achieve your goals.
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Military Divorce
If you or your spouse are in the military, you will be presented with unique challenges that are not present in civilian divorces. Our experienced team of military divorce lawyers in Chesterfield County has a long history of representing servicemen and women in these cases. We will ensure you are up to date on all developments in your case, even if you are stationed far away.
We will build our approach to your case based on the specific details of your situation. We will work to ensure your rights are protected while you are going through this difficult process.
Schedule a call with one of our client services coordinators today
Custody and Visitation
If you are going through a divorce with children, custody and visitation can be the most contentious part of your divorce. Emotions tend to run high when it comes to custody decisions. It is important to understand that the best time to get the custody and visitation order you believe is best for your children is during the divorce process. You should never agree to something, hoping that you can change it later.
It is not uncommon for parties to not agree on custody and visitation, and, in those cases, a judge will review the details of the situation and make a decision based on the best interests of your children under Virginia Code 20-124.3. Our experienced legal team will be with you every step of the way through the custody process, including working with a guardian ad litem and ensuring that no one takes advantage of you.
Child Support Considerations in Divorce
Whenever children are involved in a divorce, child support is a crucial issue that requires careful consideration. The judge must evaluate several factors to determine the appropriate support arrangement according to Virginia Code 20-108.2, including:
- The custody arrangement
- The financial needs of your children
- The financial means of you and the other parent
- If the parents each have over 90 overnights with the children, the number of nights each parent has with the children
In divorces that involve children with special needs, the judge may deviate from the standard guidelines for awarding support to ensure the financial needs of your child are properly met and for an appropriate duration, which may be child support for the life of the child.
Whether you will be paying or receiving child support, you need an experienced child support lawyer by your side to protect you and your child’s rights by ensuring that the court properly calculates the amount of support that should be awarded.
Spousal Support
Another critical and often contentious issue to resolve in a divorce is spousal support. The judge presiding over your case will weigh several factors when determining the amount of money to be paid in spousal support and the duration of payments under Virginia Code 20-107.1.
Some of the factors that most heavily influence how much will be paid include:
- The financial needs of you and your former spouse
- The earning capacity of both parties
- The current employment status of both parties
- Any additional sources of income for either party
The length of the marriage is the most important factor in determining the length of these payments. For longer marriages, lifetime support may be awarded.
Divorce Modifications
Once your divorce is final, changes in your personal circumstances or in the lives of your former spouse or children can necessitate changes to the original divorce order or property settlement agreement terms of your divorce later on. If you need to make a change to your divorce agreement or order, you can petition the court to modify various aspects of your divorce.
Whether you are looking to make a change or your former spouse is petitioning for a modification, securing the services of an experienced divorce modification attorney will be essential to ensure your legal rights are protected and that you are able to meet your goals. The issues that are most commonly modified include custody and visitation, child support, and spousal support.
Reach Out to an Experienced Family Attorney in Chesterfield County Today
Whether preparing to get married, dissolving a marriage, or looking to change the terms of your divorce property settlement agreement or order, an experienced family lawyer in Chesterfield County will work with you to ensure you are aware of your rights and understand the consequences of any legal action.
At Melone Hatley, P.C., we will use our experience to ensure a favorable outcome to your family law matter. Contact us by phone or by completing our online contact form to schedule a free initial case consultation today.
Schedule a call with one of our client services coordinators today.
