Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Family Lawyers in Virginia Beach, VA

Our Recommended Top 11

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Virginia Beach Family Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

271Reviewed

167Curated

11Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

4445 Corporation Lane, Suite 142, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (19)
Google
5.0 (7)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Frugal Legal Services offers representation to Virginia Beach residents who have family law concerns. The firm handles divorces, adoptions, separation agreements, and property settlements. The team delivers online consultations and takes care of litigation and non-suit matters. Frugal Legal Services is a dba of Burroughs Law Office, which was founded in 2006. Managing lawyer Lawren D. Burroughs advocates for members of the LGBTQ+ community. She is a member of the LGBT Family Law Institute.

  • Divorce

2876 Guardian Ln, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (9)
Yelp
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Shantell S. Nashatka, PLLC, is a private practice that serves residents in Virginia Beach and its surrounding areas. The firm represents clients in family law-related cases, covering contested, uncontested, and military divorce. It also handles matters concerning child support and non-parent rights. Its principal lawyer, Shantell Nashatka, offers counsel for same-sex couples. She also helps clients resolve issues on separation, pre-marital, and custody arrangements. Shantell received her Juris Doctor in 2003.

  • Divorce

128 S. Lynnhaven Road, St 202, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.8 (48)
Google
4.6 (44)
Avvo
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Hadley Law PLC is a multi-practice firm that represents individuals in Virginia Beach in matters involving family law, immigration, business, and misdemeanor criminal defense. Founder and managing attorney Cherish Hadley draws from over a decade of diverse litigation experience to bring case-specific solutions to her clients. Her family law practice also covers various issues related to divorce, custody, child support, and premarital and separation agreements. She handles custody issues by considering the child's best interests.

  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

291 Independence Blvd Ste 241, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (7)
Yelp
5.0 (1)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Oram-Smith Family Law has provided legal services in Virginia Beach for more than 33 years. Principal attorney Jennifer D. Oram-Smith PC assists clients with all aspects of family law with a focus on military divorces and the division of military, civil service, and civilian pension plans. The firm also works in defense of victims of domestic violence. Ms. Oram-Smith is a member of the Virginia Beach and Virginia State Bar Associations as well as the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jennifer Oram-Smith - Principalactive55 yrs

448 Viking Dr., Suite 170, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (104)
Facebook
5.0 (3)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Established in 2014, Melone Hatley, P.C., is a family law firm serving clients in Virginia Beach. Its lawyers take on cases related to separation, prenuptial agreements, child support, alimony, and divorce with special needs children. Rebecca Melone, its managing partner, received recognition as one of the Top 10 Under 40 Lawyers in 2016 by the NAFLA. She serves as a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. The firm also has offices in Fairfax and Loudoun.

  • Divorce

2697 International Pkwy Ste 106, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (41)
Facebook
4.3 (12)
Yelp
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Simon J. Marle PC has provided legal representation in Virginia Beach for more than 21 years. The attorney works with clients involved with adoptions, name changes, and paternity actions. He has also served as guardian ad litem for children whose legal rights are threatened. Mr. Marle assists clients with managing all aspects of divorce with a focus on the unique circumstances surrounding military families. The firm's other practice areas include traffic violations and criminal defense.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Simon Marle - Principalactive55 yrs

303 34th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Elizabeth K. Barnes assists Virginia Beach clients with their family legal matters. It uses a hands-on approach to resolving issues such as divorce, alimony, child support and custody, visitation, and parental relocation. The firm’s principal lawyer, Elizabeth K. Barnes, serves as a court-appointed guardian ad litem in abuse and neglect cases involving the Child Protective Services. She also represents juvenile offenders facing felony and misdemeanor charges. Barnes is a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.

  • Adoption
  • Child Custody

1333 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.9 (38)
Avvo
5.0 (5)
FindLaw
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Chaing Anders Attorneys at Law offers counsel and representation to clients in the Virginia Beach community. It provides legal assistance in various family law cases, including divorce, child and spousal support, custody, adoption, and pre-marital and post-marital agreements. Its lawyers utilize an analytical approach for collaborative agreements and complex litigations. They have more than 56 years of combined experience in family law practice. Founding attorney Cynthia Chaing serves as chairperson of the Virginia Beach Bar Association's CLASS Program.

  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

908 Mediterranean Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Blessing Legal, PLC, has offered its expertise in the area of family law to Virginia Beach since it opened its doors in 2010. Founder and principal attorney Kelly J. Blessing focuses her practice on dealing with uncontested divorce cases and reconciliation agreements. Blessing helps clients undergoing the process of separation by evaluating their circumstances, delivering legal options, and drafting agreements. She also aids individuals in matters relating to child custody, visitation, child and spousal support, and asset distribution.

  • Alimony
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

5366 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.1 (58)
Avvo
2.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Harding, Harding, & Harding, Attorneys at Law, is a law firm with offices in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk. It represents clients in divorce, including military divorce. Clients also hire the firm for help with adoption, separation agreements, and child custody, as well as spousal and child support. The firm was named as one of the 10 best law firms for client satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Darrell Harding - Founding Partneractive55 yrs

1060 Laskin Rd Ste 22B, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Bob Jeffries and Associates PC is a Virginia Beach lawyer who takes family law and divorce cases. Mr. Jeffries is an experienced litigator with more than 25 years of active practice. As state law disqualifies spouses who are guilty of adultery from receiving spousal support, he is well-versed in helping clients preserve their wealth. He also handles adoption, child custody, and domestic relations appeals. Mr. Jeffries speaks Russian and Spanish fluently.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bob Jeffries - PrincipalActive27 yrs

Compare our Top Family Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Frugal Legal Services
4445 Corporation Lane, Suite 142, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
The Law Office of Shantell S. Nashatka PLLC
2876 Guardian Ln, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Hadley Law PLC
128 S. Lynnhaven Road, St 202, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Jennifer D. Oram-Smith, P.C.
291 Independence Blvd Ste 241, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Melone Hatley, P.C.
448 Viking Dr., Suite 170, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Law Office of Simon J. Marle, PC
2697 International Pkwy Ste 106, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
The Law Office of Elizabeth K. Barnes
303 34th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Chaing Anders Attorneys at Law
1333 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Blessing Legal, PLC
908 Mediterranean Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Harding, Harding & Harding Attorneys at Law
5366 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Bob Jeffries & Associates, PC
1060 Laskin Rd Ste 22B, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What kinds of cases do family lawyers handle?

    Family lawyers handle all types of family-related issues, including divorce, child support and spousal support, custody, adoption, paternity and guardianship. Family attorneys can also handle prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and divide marital assets based on the policies outlined in these documents. Domestic violence cases are also within the purview of family law attorneys.

  • Is family court different from district court?

    In most states, family court is a division of the district court rather than a separate court system. Family law judges primarily preside over family disputes, such as divorce and custody hearings. Most states require family law judges to receive special training on how to best address family law matters.

  • How long do custody cases last in family court?

    The duration of custody cases can differ based on the circumstances surrounding the claim. A case in which parents agree to split custody can be quick, while lawsuits in which both parents or guardians are fighting for full custody can take much longer. Most child custody cases last three to 10 days, but this can vary under more challenging circumstances.

  • Why is there no jury in family court?

    There are no juries in family court cases because the concept of innocence or guilt does not apply. While there may be some cases in which additional opinions could be helpful, most cases are based on the letter of the law versus individual circumstances. Some states, including Texas, permit jury trials for family court cases, but this is uncommon.

  • What are the most common cases in family court?

    Family law covers a variety of different cases pertaining to familial relations. The most common cases in family court include:

    • Divorce cases, including settling issues of alimony, property distribution, and child care
    • Child custody and the determination of paternity
    • Domestic violence protection orders
    • Name changes, including modifications due to adoption or personal preference
    • Guardianship, including who will handle the care of a child or adult should current caretakers be unable to do so
    • Adoptions and the termination of parental rights
    • Juvenile matters, including child abuse and neglect, foster placements, and criminal conduct
    • Emancipation, which is the process of declaring a minor as independent from their parents
    • Approval of underage marriages

  • Do family lawyers handle mediation?

    Mediation can be a valuable part of a divorce case, counseling spouses to work through areas of disagreement in a fair, calm, and unbiased manner. Most, but not all, family lawyers handle mediation. Anyone who believes they may need intervention services is encouraged to ask about an attorney’s experience with resolving disputes, to ensure that support is available if necessary.