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Virginia Beach Family Law Attorneys

Restore Order When Family Conflict Creates Chaos
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Call Us Today
757-337-2500

Understanding Family Law

Family law cases rarely involve just one court appearance. Depending on the issues involved, you may participate in temporary relief hearings, custody or support hearings, discovery disputes, settlement conferences, show cause proceedings, or a final trial. Not every case will require each of these hearings, and many matters are resolved through negotiation before reaching trial.

Throughout the process, our attorneys prepare you for every hearing, explain what to expect, and advocate for your interests at each stage.

Family law matters rarely involve only a single issue.

For example:

• A divorce may also involve child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division.
• A custody dispute may later require relocation requests or modifications.
• A protective order can affect parenting time, custody, and future divorce proceedings.
• Property division may require retirement account valuations and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs).

Because these issues frequently overlap, it is important to develop a comprehensive legal strategy rather than viewing each issue in isolation. Our attorneys help clients understand how one decision today may affect other aspects of their case tomorrow.

 

Why Early Legal Representation Matters

Many people wait until conflict has escalated before speaking with an attorney. Unfortunately, decisions made early in a family law matter can have lasting consequences.

Examples include:

• Moving out of the marital home
• Relocating with a child
• Communicating through text or social media
• Entering temporary parenting agreements
• Sharing financial accounts
• Signing settlement documents
• Responding to Child Protective Services

Seeking legal guidance early can help you understand your options, avoid common mistakes, and develop a strategy before problems become more difficult to resolve.

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Invictus Law Holiday Parenting Plan
Family Law Matters We Handle
Our family law team represents individuals facing a wide range of family law issues.
Child Custody & Visitation
Child Support
Child Protective Services
Spousal Support
Divorce
Uncontested Divorce
Military Divorce
Marital Agreements
Modification Orders
Property Division
Protection Orders
Show Cause & Enforcement Orders
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How Invictus Law Helps
With Family Law Cases

Family law matters can feel overwhelming because the process is unfamiliar. While every case is different, most matters follow a similar path.

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Case Assessment

We begin by understanding your circumstances, identifying immediate concerns, and explaining the legal issues involved.

Goal Planning

Before developing a strategy, we identify your priorities, discuss available options, and establish realistic expectations regarding outcomes, timelines, and costs.

Case Development

Many cases require gathering evidence and information through informal investigation or formal discovery. Discovery may involve financial records, tax returns, business documents, retirement account information, subpoenas, depositions, and other evidence necessary to support your position.

Strategy Planning

Once the facts are known, we evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, risks, and potential resolutions before recommending a path forward.

Strategy Execution

Some cases resolve through negotiation and settlement. Others require motions, hearings, mediation, or trial. We continue to advocate for your goals while keeping you informed throughout the process.

Resolution & The Way Forward

After a resolution is reached, we help ensure court orders, agreements, QDROs, and other necessary documents are properly implemented so you can move forward with confidence.

Get Answers. Build a Plan. Move Forward

Every family law case is different. The information above provides a general overview, but the facts of your situation will determine the options available to you. Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and develop a strategy tailored to your goals.

Schedule a consultation with an experienced Virginia Beach family law attorney and learn how Invictus Law can help protect your family, your finances, and your future.

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Protect Your Children, Finances, and Future

The decisions you make today may affect your family for years to come.

If you are facing divorce, a custody dispute, support issue, protective order, or another family law matter, the sooner you understand your options, the sooner you can begin building a plan.

Speak with an Invictus Law family law attorney today and take the first step toward restoring order and protecting what matters most.

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Family Law Representation Throughout Hampton Roads

Family law disputes affect families across every community in Hampton Roads. Invictus Law represents clients in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.

Whether you are facing divorce, custody concerns, support issues, or protective orders, the goal is steady guidance that helps you make clear decisions during a stressful season.

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What’s at Stake?

Family law decisions can shape daily routines, finances, and long-term stability.

  • ✓Parenting rights and decision-making authority
  • ✓Time spent with your children
  • ✓Child and spousal support obligations
  • ✓Property, retirement, and financial accounts
  • ✓Protection, safety, and future court orders

Why Choose Invictus Law for Your Family Law Matter?

Family law disputes are rarely just legal problems. They involve your children, your finances, your home, and your future. The decisions made during a divorce, custody dispute, support case, or protective order proceeding can have consequences that last for years. When so much is at stake, you need more than legal advice—you need a clear strategy and a team you can trust.

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Focus on Helping Clients

At Invictus Law, we focus on helping clients move from uncertainty to clarity. From the moment we begin working together, our goal is to help you understand your options, make informed decisions, and develop a plan tailored to your specific circumstances. We believe clients should never be left wondering what is happening in their case or what comes next.
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Why Choose Us?

Clients choose Invictus Law because we provide strategic, trial-ready representation supported by responsive communication and a team-based approach. We take the time to educate our clients about the legal process, explain the risks and opportunities associated with important decisions, and provide practical guidance throughout every stage of a case.
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A Disciplined Approach

Our attorneys prepare every case with a long-term perspective. While many family law matters resolve through negotiation, settlement, or mediation, we prepare each case as though it may ultimately require courtroom advocacy. This disciplined approach often leads to stronger negotiations and better outcomes while ensuring our clients are prepared for whatever direction the case takes.
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Helping You Restore Order

Whether your matter involves divorce, custody, visitation, support, property division, or post-divorce disputes, our mission remains the same: to help restore order when family conflict creates chaos.
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What Makes Invictus Law Different

A Unique Combination

Many law firms handle family law cases. What distinguishes Invictus Law is our combination of focused experience, local knowledge, and a process-driven approach designed to help clients navigate difficult situations with confidence.

Concentrated Focus

Unlike firms that divide their attention among numerous practice areas, our attorneys focus exclusively on criminal defense and family law. This concentrated focus allows us to stay immersed in the laws, procedures, and evolving issues that directly impact our clients and their families.

Certified Guardians ad Litem

Our family law team includes certified Guardians ad Litem (GALs) for children in Virginia courts. This certification reflects additional training and experience involving child-related matters and provides valuable insight into how courts evaluate the best interests of children in contested custody and visitation disputes. That perspective can be particularly valuable when developing parenting plans, preparing evidence, and addressing issues that affect a child’s well-being.

Military Issues Experience

Invictus Law also brings experience serving the unique needs of military families throughout Hampton Roads. Military service can create additional challenges involving deployments, relocations, military retirement benefits, support calculations, and custody arrangements. Our familiarity with these issues allows us to better guide service members and military spouses through family law matters that intersect with military life.

Local Experience Matters

We are also deeply familiar with the courts, judges, procedures, and legal community throughout Virginia Beach and the surrounding Hampton Roads region. Local experience matters. Understanding how family law cases are handled in local courts helps us provide realistic expectations and develop effective strategies tailored to the circumstances of each case.

Process-Driven Representation

Most importantly, we follow a proven process. Every family law matter begins with understanding the facts, identifying goals, evaluating options, developing a strategy, and maintaining clear communication throughout the case. We believe preparation reduces uncertainty, and informed clients make better decisions. Our process is designed to provide structure and guidance during a time when many clients feel overwhelmed by uncertainty.
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Virginia State Bar Attorney
Eric Leckie AVVO 5 Star Review
AVVO Top DUI DWI Attorney
AVVO Top Criminal Defense Attorney
Expertise Virginia Beach Best Divorce Lawyers
Shemeka Hankins AVVO Top Attorney
NADC Top One Percent
Shemeka Hankins AVVO 5 Star Review

Schedule Your Family Law Consultation Today

Schedule a consultation with an experienced Virginia Beach family law attorney and learn how Invictus Law can help protect your family, your finances, and your future.
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Our Attorneys

Each of our attorneys brings unique experience and perspective to the firm. Together, they collaborate on strategy, share ideas, and leverage one another’s strengths to help clients achieve the best possible outcome.

Rather than working in isolation, our attorneys regularly discuss complex legal issues, evaluate strategy, and draw upon one another’s courtroom experience. That means every client benefits from the collective knowledge of the firm—not just the experience of the attorney assigned to the case.

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Eric Leckie

Founding Attorney. Marine Corps JAG. Former Prosecutor.

Founder of Invictus Law and a former United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate with over 23 years of trial experience in federal criminal defense, military law, and security clearance matters.

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Shemeka Hankins, Criminal Defense Trial Attorney in Virginia Beach, VA

Shemeka Hankins

Former Prosecutor, Decorated Trial Attorney & Fearless Criminal Defense Lawyer

Partner. Former Prosecutor with the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney's Office, recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Virginia State Bar Local Bar Leader of the Year.

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Yolanda Beasley, Family Law Trial Attorney

Yolanda Beasley

Family Law and Trial Attorney. Certified Guardian ad Litem.

Virginia Beach native and certified Guardian ad Litem recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023, 2024) and National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.

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Reviews & Results

Our reputation is built on the trust our clients place in us and the results we work to achieve. We understand that results matter, and so does how you are treated along the way.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
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To my lawyer and the whole team Thank You guys you are the best 👌.
  
 
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 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I highly recommend Eric Leckie.
1. He truly cares about his clients and their needs.
2. He does everything in his power to provide you with the best possible outcome.
3. He actually listens to his clients and is extremely accessible whenever you needed him
4. Even after his job is done he will follow up with you to make sure you’re on the right track

I was facing a 1-5 year sentence per my guidelines on a DUI 3rd. Not only did my DUI 3rd get reduced to a 2nd but he also got my other 2 charges dropped and I only had to serve 20 days. He worked hard for my family and I and I appreciate him beyond words can express. If you’re in need of a lawyer for whatever reason, Eric is your guy.

Thank you again Eric I am home with my kids because of all you’ve done for us!
  
 
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I cannot say enough great things about Invictus Law and especially Eric. He did an amazing job from start to finish. Professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and truly cared about making sure everything was handled correctly. He kept me informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a stressful situation feel much easier. His attention to detail and dedication to his clients really stand out. I highly recommend Invictus Law to anyone looking for trustworthy and effective legal representation.
  
 
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This law firm is amazing we had the opportunity to work Shameka c. Hankins and she was very professional, very helpful, very respectful and easy to work with. She went in with a plan with very short notice of our case and got the temporary hold dismissed. I would really use this law firm if I ever need to again and would highly recommend them to others . Thank you again for your help .
  
 
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I wanted to give a big thanks to Invictus law and my Attorney Shemeka C. Hankins on helping me win/close my case! First, I came to this law firm with a case that was 1 week away looking for a family attorney to help represent me and they did not turn me away they offered me with help immediately. Secondly, My Attorney Shemeka C. Hankins was the best! She made sure I was comfortable and showed me that she cared it wasn’t just about the money ,she sincerely believed in me and wanted to help me. I was stressed and nervous but when talking to her I was confident and ready to take on my case and everything that came with it head on. She was very professional and confident, that alone gave me hope that everything would be okay. I’ll recommend this law firm 100 percent to anyone who is in needed of help!!
  
 
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Eric Leckie was awesome! He was able to get the desired outcome for my case and he took the extra effort to contact my mom and keep her in the loop. Would give 10 stars if I could! 10/10 recommend
  
 
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Shemeka and Invictus Law were great.  In a tough time for myself they completely had my back and took care of me. I can’t thank them enough!
  
 
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Thank you to the outstanding legal team (Yvonne Beasley and Erica) for your guidance and support during a very stressful and unfamiliar legal process. As someone navigating a trial for the first time, I deeply appreciated the professionalism, patience, and knowledge provided throughout every step of the case. Your ability to explain details clearly and help me move forward with confidence made a difficult situation much more manageable. I am truly grateful for your dedication and support.
  
 
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During my consultation Eric Leckie, I felt like I was in safe hands and with a true professional. I highly recommend this law firm.
  
 
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had a great consultation. very quick response time and quick to get a consultation scheduled same day as inquiry. very professional and informational.
  
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a family law case take in Virginia?
The timeline for a family law case depends on the issues involved, the level of conflict between the parties, and the court’s schedule. Uncontested matters may be resolved within a few months, while contested cases involving custody, support, property division, or complex financial issues can take substantially longer. Cases that require extensive discovery, expert witnesses, business valuations, or multiple court hearings typically take more time than cases resolved through agreement. During your consultation, our team can provide a more realistic estimate based on the specific circumstances of your case.
How does Virginia determine child custody and visitation?
Virginia courts decide custody and visitation matters based on the best interests of the child. Judges evaluate numerous factors, including the child’s age and needs, each parent’s involvement in the child’s life, the relationship between the child and each parent, each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs, and the willingness of each parent to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. No single factor automatically determines the outcome. Every custody and visitation case is decided based on its unique facts and circumstances.
Can child custody, visitation, or support orders be modified?
Yes. Existing family law orders may be modified when a material change in circumstances has occurred and the requested modification is legally justified. Examples may include

significant changes in income, relocation, military deployments, changes in a child’s needs, changes in parenting schedules, or other substantial life events. The specific requirements vary depending on whether the issue involves custody, visitation, child support, or spousal support.

What is the difference between a contested and uncontested divorce?
An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses reach agreement on all issues, including property division, support, custody, visitation, and other matters that must be resolved before the divorce is finalized. A contested divorce occurs when one or more issues remain disputed and require court involvement. While uncontested divorces are generally less expensive and resolve more quickly, contested divorces may be necessary when significant disagreements exist regarding children, finances, or property.
How is property divided during a Virginia divorce?
Virginia follows the principle of equitable distribution. This does not necessarily mean property is divided equally. Instead, courts seek a division that is fair based on the circumstances of the marriage. Property division may involve real estate, retirement accounts, military pensions, investments, business interests, vehicles, personal property, and marital debt. Courts consider numerous factors when determining how marital property and obligations should be allocated between spouses.
What is a QDRO and when is one needed?
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a court order used to divide certain retirement benefits between spouses following a divorce. QDROs are commonly required when dividing eligible retirement plans such as 401(k)s and pension plans. These orders must be prepared carefully to comply with both federal law and the requirements of the retirement plan administrator. Improperly drafted QDROs can create delays, unintended tax consequences, and difficulties in implementing a property settlement or court order.
What should I do if Child Protective Services contacts me?
If Child Protective Services (CPS) contacts you regarding an investigation, it is important to take the matter seriously. CPS investigations can affect parental rights, custody arrangements, and future court proceedings. While cooperation may be appropriate in many situations, parents should also understand their legal rights and obligations before providing statements or agreeing to safety plans. Speaking with an attorney early in the process can help you understand the allegations, protect your rights, and make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Do I need an attorney for a family law matter?
While individuals have the right to represent themselves, family law cases often involve issues that can affect children, finances, property rights, retirement benefits, and future legal obligations. An attorney can help identify legal issues, explain available options, gather evidence, navigate court procedures, negotiate settlements, and advocate on your behalf in court when necessary. Even matters that initially appear straightforward can become significantly more complicated when disagreements arise.

Legal Insights

Contact Invictus Law

If you are facing a legal issue and need experienced guidance, we are prepared to help you understand your options and take the next step forward. We serve clients throughout Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads and welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation.