Virginia Child Custody Attorneys | Custody, Visitation & Modifications
Custody Battle in Virginia? Protect Your Time With Your Kids.
We build custody and parenting plans that protect your time with your children, your role as a parent, and your family's stability.
A Custody Plan Built Around Your Family
We create parenting plans that reflect your real schedule, your role, and your child's needs. No cookie-cutter arrangements, just a plan built around your specific family.
Stability and Security for Your Kids
Children thrive when their world is consistent. We protect their routines, their school life, and their emotional stability so they have what they need most during this transition.
Protecting Your Role in Their Daily Life
Your time matters and your role matters. We make sure your involvement is documented, respected, and protected so you stay fully present in your children's lives.
Hundreds of Families Helped Through Custody Cases in Virginia
3 Critical Factors in Every Child Custody Case
01
What If I Lose My Parental Rights?
Without a clear legal strategy, decisions made early can limit your role in your children's lives for years. Custody arrangements, decision-making rights, and parenting time can all be locked in before you realize what's happening. The choices you make now matter more than anything.
02
What If Costs and Conflict Spiral?
Custody cases can drag on, escalate emotionally, and drain your finances if they aren't handled with the right strategy from day one. We focus on resolving cases efficiently while protecting what matters most, so you avoid unnecessary conflict, court delays, and financial stress.
03
What If My Kids Lose Stability?
Children need consistent routines, environments, and relationships. The wrong custody plan can disrupt school, friendships, and emotional wellbeing. A clear, well-structured arrangement protects your children's stability and gives them the foundation they need.
Custody Situations We Handle
Parents Going Through Divorce
When divorce and custody happen at the same time, decisions get made fast. We protect your role and your time with your children while building a parenting plan that holds up long term.
Modifying a Custody or Visitation Order
Life changes. Schedules change. Your existing custody order may not reflect what's actually working for your family anymore. We help you modify orders so they fit your current reality.
Unmarried Parents Establishing Rights
Unmarried parents often face additional legal hurdles establishing custody, visitation, and decision-making rights. We help you build a clear, legally protected arrangement from the start.
Child Safety Concerns in the Other Home
When you have legitimate concerns about your child's safety in the other parent's home, we move quickly. We document, file, and advocate for protective arrangements that put your children first.
How Our Custody Process Works
Custody decisions shape your children's daily life and your role as a parent. Our process is designed to give you clarity, structure, and a plan built around your family.
Step 1
We Learn Your Family's Goals
Every custody case begins with understanding the full picture. We review your family situation, your children's needs, your concerns, and what outcome matters most. This allows us to identify the right approach and build a strategy tailored to your circumstances.
Step 2
We Build Your Custody Strategy
Based on your situation, we develop a custody and visitation strategy designed to protect your parenting time and your children's stability. This may include negotiation, mediation, or preparing for court depending on what gives you the strongest position.
Step 3
We Secure Your Parental Rights
We prepare the necessary legal documents, represent you through hearings or negotiations, and guide you to a final custody order. Our goal is an arrangement that protects your rights and gives your family a clear path forward.
Why Families Choose Melone Hatley for Custody
What Our Clients Say
Real experiences from parents who trusted Melone Hatley, P.C. with their custody case.
"Melone Hatley went above and beyond. They have represented me on my case for almost 2 years. They put the work in to not only be familiar with my case but they went to bat for me and my son to protect at all costs. Amazing firm."
– Kimberly G.
"We have been working with Melone Hatley and we have had an amazing experience. We are working through a custody agreement change and they have been so great with communicating all steps."
– Tiffini B.
"Melone Hatley is a dedicated firm that cares deeply about its clients. They know what we feel and what we are going through. They understand us at our level not only are they the right team for the job, they are the team!"
– Victor L.
"Family law is difficult, but Melone Hatley will help you get through it. The team brings a lot to the table as family law attorneys. They are diligent, and they identify with the hardships their clients are going through."
– Joshua D.
"Melone Hatley has been an incredibly helpful and knowledgeable resource for me as we navigate challenging legal situations. They always have the children's best interest in mind and I'm so thankful for their ongoing advice."
– Adrienne D.
"Melone Hatley helped me navigate a nasty child custody case. They were able to use their experience to get me the results that I and my children needed. As a parent, this can be one of the scariest and most frustrating times."
– Seth P.
"I recommend Melone Hatley, PC. They helped me receive primary custody of my son through their tenacity and meticulous navigation of my case. They gave sound counsel and guidance from the moment they began to represent me."
– Rashadric J.
"Melone Hatley was an amazing support throughout my custody case. They were very responsive, polite, and thorough. One of my favorite things about this practice was the frequency they sent out surveys to measure satisfaction this made me feel heard and valued."
– Crystal M.
"Our family has had the privilege of working with Melone Hatley on two separate occasions both of which were complex and emotionally challenging. The first was when I petitioned for custody of my husband's grandchildren."
– Sarah M.
The Founders Behind Your Legal Support
Rebecca Melone and Charles Hatley built Melone Hatley, P.C. on one principle: every family deserves a legal team that fights as hard as they would.
With decades of combined experience in custody disputes, parenting plans, and complex family cases, they've guided hundreds of families through the most difficult chapters of their lives.
Their leadership is why the firm has been recognized by Inc. 5000, Law Firm 500, and Leaders in the Law. Every attorney at the firm operates by the same standard: prepare thoroughly, communicate clearly, and never treat a case like a number.
Trusted by Families In Virginia Beach & Beyond
"Every child deserves stability, and every parent deserves to be heard. That's what drives our work every single day." - Charles Hatley, CEO
Charles Hatley, Esq. & Rebecca Melone, Esq.
CEO & Managing Partner at Melone Hatley, P.C.
What Happens After You Contact Us
01
You Reach Out
Schedule online, fill out our contact form, or call our office directly. Whatever works best for you. After we receive your request, our intake team confirms your matter falls within our jurisdiction and explains what to expect during your free consultation.
02
We Review Your Situation
Our client service coordinator connects with you to gather key details and understand your situation. We clarify priorities, answer initial questions, and determine if we're the right fit. If so, we outline next steps and guide you through the process.
03
You Meet Your Attorney
You sit down with one of our attorneys to review your case in detail and discuss your specific circumstances. We explain your legal options, outline potential strategies, and give you clear direction so you can move forward with confidence.
Your Custody Team in Virginia Beach
Your case is handled by attorneys who focus exclusively on family law, with the full support of the Melone Hatley team behind them. Together, we bring decades of combined experience in custody, parenting plans, and family-focused legal strategy.
Arian Saleh, Esq.
Office Managing Attorney
William Wilkinson, Esq.
Office Managing Attorney
Sloan Lambert, Esq.
Family Law Attorney
William Vazquez, Esq.
Senior Associate Attorney
Our Office in Virginia Beach
We know the local courts, the judges, and the process. That means fewer surprises and a stronger strategy for your custody case.
Office Address:
575 Lynnhaven Pkwy, Suite 310
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Your attorney is minutes away. Schedule a conversation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions parents ask before starting a custody case.
What factors does a Virginia court consider in custody decisions?
What is the difference between legal custody and physical custody?
Can a custody order be changed after it is finalized?
How long does a typical custody case take to resolve?
Do I need an attorney for a custody case?
What is a parenting plan and why does it matter?
What should I do if I believe my child is in danger?
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Don't Let Someone Else Decide How Often You See Your Children.
Whether you're facing custody for the first time or trying to change an arrangement that no longer works, the stakes are the same. Your relationship with your children, your time with them, and your role as a parent are all on the line. You need a team that takes this as seriously as you do.
Custody decisions made early on can define your relationship with your children for years. Without the right legal strategy, you risk agreeing to a parenting plan that doesn't reflect your situation, your role, or what's actually best for your kids. Modifying it later is harder than getting it right the first time.
The court doesn't know your family. Your ex's attorney won't tell your side. Every day without representation is a day someone else is shaping the future of your relationship with your children. Schedules, decision-making rights, holidays, school choices, all of it can be locked in before you realize what's happening.
A clear custody strategy changes that. Parenting plans built around your family's reality. Documentation that reflects your actual involvement. Modifications when life changes or current orders aren't working. We protect your time, your role, and most importantly, your children's stability.
Hundreds of parents across Virginia have trusted Melone Hatley to navigate custody with strength and care. Our 4.7 out of 5 rating reflects what parents value most: real attention, real strategy, and a team that fights for the relationship between you and your children.
Imagine knowing your time with your children is protected. Your parenting role is documented. The arrangement actually works for your family, not against it. No more sleepless nights wondering what could be taken from you. Just a clear plan that puts your children first.
Your free consultation is the first step. We'll listen to your situation, explain your options, and help you understand exactly what your custody case looks like.
No pressure. No obligation. No cost. You leave the consultation with a clear understanding of your next steps, whether you choose to work with us or not.
The earlier you act, the more options you have. Whether you're starting a custody case or modifying an existing order, every day matters when your children are involved.
