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Navigating Digital Legacy: A Comprehensive Guide with a Melone Hatley, PC Trust and Estate Planning Attorney

February 28, 2024 | Melone Hatley, P.C. | Estate Planning

Are you considering estate planning but feeling hesitant about delving into the details? While it may not be the most enjoyable task, working with a Virginia Beach trust and estate planning attorney is crucial to ensure your affairs are in order. Estate planning encompasses creating wills, medical directives, powers of attorney, and trusts, but one …

Coastal Virginia Business Magazine Names 6 Melone Hatley, PC Lawyers to Top Lawyers 2024

January 4, 2024 | Melone Hatley, P.C. | Divorce Lawyer

Melone Hatley, PC had six lawyers selected by their professional peers for inclusion in Coastal Virginia Business magazine’s 2024 Top Lawyers, published in the January 2024 issue. The firm’s lawyers were honored in 3 Top Lawyers categories. “As a relatively small firm, we were honored to have so many of our Virginia Beach attorneys recognized …

Virginia Business Magazine Names 8 Melone Hatley, PC Lawyers to Legal Elite

January 4, 2024 | Melone Hatley, P.C. | Divorce Lawyer

Melone Hatley, PC had eight lawyers selected by their professional peers for inclusion in Virginia Business magazine’s 2023 Legal Elite, published in the December 2023 issue. The firm’s lawyers were honored in 3 Legal Elite categories. “As a relatively small firm, we were honored to have so many of our attorneys recognized by their peers …

cutout of paper family next to law book and gavel

What Does “Best Interest of the Child” Mean?

October 16, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Divorce Lawyer

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 …

What is the Divorce Process in North Carolina?

September 1, 2023 | Ben Hefferon | Divorce Lawyer

Divorce is an unpleasant reality for many people in North Carolina. The divorce rate in 2021 was 3.2 per 1000 people, an increase compared to the previous year. Divorces are most likely to happen in January around the holiday season, but they can, of course, occur at any time of the year. If you are …

Navigating Separation: Dividing and Selling Assets with Care

August 23, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Separation Lawyer

Separation is a life-altering event that often necessitates the division and sale of assets acquired during the course of a marriage. This process can be emotionally challenging, as it involves untangling the intertwined financial lives of two individuals. Navigating the division and sale of assets during separation requires careful consideration, communication, and a focus on …

The Financial Impact of Divorce

August 10, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Divorce Lawyer

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 …

Military service member removing his wedding ring

How is a Military Divorce Affected by Adultery?

July 21, 2023 | Charles Hatley | Military Divorce

Facing separation or divorce can be stressful and overwhelming for all involved, especially if it involves allegations of adultery. Military members are held to a higher standard of conduct than civilians and can face legal repercussions for committing adultery, even while divorcing their spouse. However, recently the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) has changed …

Is Aretha Franklin’s Will Found In Her Couch Valid?

July 17, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Trust And Estate Planning Lawyer

When it comes to estate planning – clarity rules. Aretha Franklin’s passing resulted in drawn out litigation over the past 4 years that has finally ended with a two-day trial. Ms. Franklin handwrote a will in 2014 that was located in her couch and has been determined to be controlling of her estate. When the …

How to Co-Parent your Special Needs Child

July 17, 2023 | Charles Hatley | Child Custody

According to the 2019 U.S. Census, approximately 2.6 million U.S. households have at least one child with a disability. Divorce and co-parenting children is difficult enough, but the process becomes even more complicated when your child has special emotional or medical needs. Due to the additional care requirements, special needs children require a more thorough …

mother and son sitting down on a couch writing

Relocation with a Child Post Separation or Divorce

July 14, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Separation Lawyer

When families break up, it can be a very difficult process. Starting over can be stressful, and it is even more nerve-racking when you are attempting to relocate with a child. When it comes to relocation with a child, one of the court’s most important concerns is doing whatever is in the child’s best interest. …

Disabled Parents and their Custody Rights

June 9, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Child Custody

Child custody disputes are a complex process. If you are a disabled parent, or on SSDI, SSI, or VA Benefits, you might feel as if you are at a disadvantage in receiving a fair outcome in a custody trial. It can seem like no one believes you are capable of caring for your children. A …

Divorce paperwork with wedding rings laying on top

Steps to Filing a Divorce in the Military

June 6, 2023 | Charles Hatley | Military Divorce

Being in the military can add stress to an already difficult relationship that can ultimately end in divorce. While the divorce rate for military families is low, around 3 percent overall, the issues involved in those cases tend to be more complex. The military divorce rate appears to be much higher than the rate for …

How Do You Prove Parental Alienation Syndrome?

May 3, 2023 | Ben Hefferon | Divorce Lawyer

Divorces often cause tension between ex-spouses. When a child is involved, the parents cannot simply go their separate ways. They must continue to co-parent their child or children. Unfortunately, some parents act irrationally out of anger toward the other parent. This can include attempts to interfere with the relationship between the child and the parent, …

divorce paperwork with wedding rings on top

How Will Divorce Divide a Military Pension?

April 28, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Military Divorce

No matter the circumstances that have prompted your divorce, going through the divorce process can be tedious and complex. If one or both of you are service members, questions such as what happens to your pension can complicate the divorce. This question is important, and you need to know where you stand before you enter …

husband and wife looking upset at paperwork with wedding rings on top of it

In North Carolina Can You Get Divorced While Deployed?

April 12, 2023 | Ben Hefferon | Divorce Lawyer

For North Carolina military couples, it can be difficult to come to terms with the situation of a divorce while one spouse is deployed. If your relationship has come to an end and you are in the middle of a deployment, you may be asking yourself if you have any options for filing for a …

a dad and his special needs son laughing

Child Support Laws for an Adult Child with Disabilities

March 7, 2023 | Charles Hatley | Child Custody

There is an expectation and duty for a parent to support their child and to make decisions on their behalf until they reach adulthood . Yet, these responsibilities can extend much longer when the child has special needs. Caring for and raising a special needs child will be a different experience and may require you …

mother standing next to her special needs son

Receiving Custody of a Special Needs Child in Virginia

March 3, 2023 | Rebecca Melone | Child Custody

Child custody cases involving special needs children tend to be more complex and involve more elements than other custody cases. Your special needs child may not fully understand what is happening or require special accommodations, potentially resulting in you seeking a more flexible order from the court. Physical and legal custody of a special needs …

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I can’t say enough good things about Erica Hawkins. She exceeded my expectations and she helped me at one of my lowest points in my life. Not only was she professional and timely she was understanding and compassionate. In my experience it is hard to find all of those qualities...

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It’s hard to write a review for a divorce attorney as there are no real winners when breaking up a family. My attorney, Stephen Lukacs, was prompt in response time, understanding of my concerns, patient with my occasional panicky moments, and stayed the course to ensure a fair outcome. We...

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I can only rate up to 5, but the amount of work my lawyer Stephen Lukacs did for me is worth at least a thousand. I cannot begin to describe what a blessing all of Melone Hatley has been. There is no better option you could go with. My paralegal...

T.F.

Julia has been a great lawyer for me during this tough time going through my divorce. She has given great legal advice every step of the way and the timeliness of her responses has been great. She has helped ease my anxiety and gives me hope that this difficult situation...

T.R.

Stephen Lukacs has been a blessing for my family, so far. We are still working together, but if we ever have any questions, he responds within the same day via email. He has been prompt, attentive, honest, understanding of my wants, informative and was masterful in the courtroom. He doesn’t...

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I had a great experience with this firm. Ms. Julia, Ms. Angela, and the rest of the team were very helpful during the process. The long process became manageable once they took my case. They were patient with me and explained everything, every step of the way. I’m glad I...

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I am extremely happy with my experience and would highly recommend Melone Hatley. Everyone who I interacted with at the firm was very professional, helpful and kind. I worked directly with Brian and he was deeply knowledgeable and compassionate while guiding me through the entire process. My questions were responded...

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M.A.

I highly recommend Melone Hatley. The staff that I have been exposed to are extremely helpful and knowledgeable.

M.H.

Brian has been the best to work with! He is very knowledgeable and helped guide me through everything! Couldn’t have asked for a better experience!!

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I cannot recommend this attorney’s office enough. I had a major traffic concern and James helped me and I am forever grateful. He is smart and was a calming presence throughout the entire process.

A.C.

What a breath of fresh air they were. After dealing with a terrible firm that took a divorce and turned it into a year long $30,000 nightmare. Emily Vaughn turned my case around in as little as a week. All parties were talking again and it was finished a month...

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I contacted the Charlotte office with some initial inquiries and found myself in contact with Haley Acuff. I was impressed with her obvious compassion and objectiveness. Her insightful questions helped me to clarify my thought process, while also inspiring confidence that I have indeed found the caring and capable legal...

J.G.

“Worked with both James and Rebecca. Both were very professional and worked hard to make sure I was taken care of with my child support cases. I fully recommend them.”

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“They were so friendly and attentive to the matter I brought to them. I wasn’t just treated like “another case”. It felt like they actually cared about me and the outcome of the matter I brought to them. The positive results they got me obviously were the best part!”

N.N.

“I hired MH to handle a divorce. Charles and Angela have been nothing but professional, empathetic, and timely. There isn’t another firm out there that will provide this level of care. Highly recommended.”

S.H.

“Ms. Alexandra at Melone Hatley is great with her communication skills. Very honest, helpful, and keeps to her word. Flawless system that this law firm has set up. Impressed to say the least.”

A.D.

“I had started this process of going through child custody at Norfolk JDR with Mr. Hatley about 2 1/2 years ago. He had done SO much from fighting false domestic violence charges to helping me gain custody of my son. I was skeptical when I first came in years ago...