Jackson Nelson, PLLC

Jackson Nelson, PLLC Family law attorneys focusing on helping you move forward. in Business Administration. She's also an active member of local and statewide bar associations.

Located in Downtown Norfolk and serving all of Hampton Roads with divorce, custody, visitation, support, adoptions, and more. In 2010, two great legal minds joined foreces to establish the family law firm of Phillips & Peters, PLLC. With a shared vision, they built a practice dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the challenges of divorce, custody disputes and more. Through mentor

ship and leadership, the founders cultivated Lisa Jackson and Sarah Nelson into attorneys who could continue to carry on the core values of the firm. The founders later entrusted Lisa Jackson and Sarah Nelson in carrying on the firm, renaming Phillips & Peters, PLLC to Jackson Nelson, PLLC. Today, Lisa Jackson and Sarah Nelson continue to carry forward the original mission and vision, upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, respect for clients and peers, and the care to provide compassionate and personalized service to each of our clients, and are continuing the mission of Helping You Move Forward. Lisa Jackson, originally from Yakima, Washington, began her college career at Washington State University before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she earned her B.S. After moving to Norfolk, Virginia, Lisa began a career in law enforcement as a police officer with the Norfolk Police Department, later serving as an Investigator in Vice and Narcotics and a Task Force Officer with the ATF. While still working full-time in law enforcement, Lisa attended Regent University School of Law. Since becoming licensed as an attorney in Virginia over 10 years ago, she has handled high-conflict divorces, custody cases, and serves as a Guardian ad litem. Today, she uses her sharp investigative skills and deep community roots to represent clients in contested divorce, custody, and visitation matters. As a Guardian ad Litem and Legal Aid volunteer, Lisa remains committed to advocacy and access to justice. Sarah Nelson has spent most of her life proudly rooted in Southeast Virginia. A Grassfield High School graduate, Sarah earned dual degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Old Dominion University before obtaining her J.D. from Regent University School of Law. While in law school, she served on the Regent Law Review, Trial Advocacy Board, and Honor Council, and played a key role in advancing the use of facility dogs for child victims in Virginia courts—an initiative that became law in 2018. Since 2019, Sarah has focused her legal career on family law, with particular experience in non-parent custody, same-sex divorce and custody, and relocation matters. As a certified Guardian ad Litem, she is passionate about protecting children’s interests and helping families navigate complex transitions. In addition to practicing law, Sarah is a member of several local and statewide bar associations, including the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Beach Bar Association, the Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Association, and Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. She has previously been a member of the James Kent Inn of Court has served on a scholarship committee and coached youth athletics.

The relationships we build with our clients mean everything to us. 💙We’re grateful to be a source of support, guidance, ...
05/28/2026

The relationships we build with our clients mean everything to us. 💙
We’re grateful to be a source of support, guidance, and care during life’s toughest moments. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There’s practically nothing more important to an attorney’s day to day life than a great paralegal. 💙So today, we’re giv...
05/26/2026

There’s practically nothing more important to an attorney’s day to day life than a great paralegal. 💙

So today, we’re giving a shoutout to Ashley Keil.

A lot of the thank yous I receive are really a reflection of the work happening behind the scenes. Ashley keeps things moving, keeps things organized, and somehow always seems to know what needs attention before anyone else does.

Post-its. Teams messages. Follow ups. Calendars. Checklists. You name it- I promise she does it. The kind of behind the scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly and helps make sure our clients get the attention they deserve.

Ashley has been with our firm for nine years, and saying I cannot imagine practicing law without her would be a massive understatement.

Helping You Move Forward takes a team and we are so lucky to have her on ours. 💙

-Sarah Nelson

We love being part of a community with so many military families, and we’re grateful for the trust many have placed in u...
05/25/2026

We love being part of a community with so many military families, and we’re grateful for the trust many have placed in us during some of life’s more difficult transitions.

Today we honor and remember those who gave their lives for our country, and the families whose lives were forever changed by their dedication. 🇺🇸

05/21/2026

This office runs on coffee, and every Thursday is Starbucks day. ☕

A little office tradition we started a while back slowly became non-negotiable. Taking it away would probably cause pitchfork-level employee outrage. 😅

Everyone gets their favorite drink of choice… even Wilson and his pup cup. ❤️🐶

It’s our little bit of important weekly consistency in a job that can sometimes be chaotic and a pick-me-up to help us power through the rest of the week and keep Helping You Move Forward. 💙

If you haven’t met our four legged shorty coworker yet, catch him out on Granby & Plume today getting his steps in on his way to get our Starbucks Thursday 🐾


Grateful for clients who trust us with life’s most important matters. 💙Thank you for the kind words and continued suppor...
05/21/2026

Grateful for clients who trust us with life’s most important matters. 💙
Thank you for the kind words and continued support. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🚨LIFE JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT EASIER TO MOVE ON FROM YOUR EX🚨This month, we’ve been breaking down the BIG changes coming to...
05/20/2026

🚨LIFE JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT EASIER TO MOVE ON FROM YOUR EX🚨

This month, we’ve been breaking down the BIG changes coming to Virginia divorce law this summer ⚖️📖 And if you’re currently separated, pay attention. 👀

Let’s talk ADULTERY💋

Right alongside abuse allegations, adultery is one of the MOST common fault issues we discuss with clients. It drives emotions 💔 and often also shapes negotiations.

One of the more common questions we get from clients is:

❓❓“Can I start dating yet?”❓❓

Until now, the honest answer (before digging into the nuances) was usually:

😬 “Be careful. It’s COMPLICATED.”

Because even if a relationship started AFTER separation, but BEFORE the divorce was finalized, it could still legally qualify as adultery. 🤯

That matters for more than just emotional reasons because I t can impact:
✔️Fault grounds
✔️Settlement negotiations
✔️Custody arguments
✔️Spousal support
✔️Financial issues involving marital money 💸

For example, courts generally do NOT look kindly on someone spending marital funds on a new relationship while the marriage is falling apart 😅

(Translation: maybe don’t put the hotel room, gifts, or lingerie for the new significant other on the joint credit card and expect that debt to get split evenly 👀…. Or maybe don’t say you can’t afford support while you take that new significant other on vacation 🏝️…. Yeah…..we’ve seen a thing or two)

👉 But heading into ☀️ Summer 2026, here’s the BIG change:

🔥 Adultery that occurs AFTER the date of separation will generally NO LONGER qualify as fault-based adultery grounds in divorce. 🔥

We’ve previously posted about how adultery technically still remains a criminal offense in Virginia, even though prosecutors almost never pursue charges anymore 🚔⛓️‍💥 and to be crystal clear: ❌ This does NOT suddenly make adultery “legal” ⚠️ The criminal statute still exists

BUT this does change how adultery is treated as FAULT issue in *civil* divorce cases.

Which means one thing is about to become EVEN MORE important:

⚠️THE DATE OF SEPARATION⚠️

Expect new fights over:
📌When the separation actually happened
📌Whether the relationship began BEFORE separation
📌How separation dates are proven
📌What happens when evidence surfaces later
📌Whether the affair actually caused the breakdown of the marriage
📌How this impacts constructive desertion arguments
📌How pendente lite injunctions preserving the marital estate are affected
📌How already-pending divorce cases will be handled

This change is likely going to create entirely NEW legal arguments as courts figure out how these laws apply in real life ⚖️

Which means… even MORE conversations for us to have when clients ask:
“So what does this mean for MY case?” 😅

But for many people, this change may also provide something they haven’t had before:

❤️A little more breathing room❤️

As courts begin interpreting these changes, we’ll keep sharing updates and answering questions along the way.

Because a big part of us ✨Helping You Move Forward✨is helping you move on from your ex.

🔥 Batman & Robin 🔥 Peanut butter & jelly 🔥 Mac & cheese 🔥 Coffee & Monday mornings ☕👀 Some duos just work. For us, that’...
05/19/2026

🔥 Batman & Robin
🔥 Peanut butter & jelly
🔥 Mac & cheese
🔥 Coffee & Monday mornings ☕👀

Some duos just work. For us, that’s Lisa Jackson and Kelsey Walker ✨⭐️✨

So on this , we’re giving a shoutout to our resident Starbucks lover, Kelsey. 💙

As Lisa Jackson’s paralegal, these two have built an unbeatable dynamic, and Kelsey is one of the hardest working and most dedicated people we know.

People often see attorneys as the face of a case, but paralegals are the people keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes. They help organize mountains of information, keep track of deadlines, communicate with you, gather documents, solve problems before they become bigger problems, and help make sure your case keeps moving forward. ⚖️📂📞

Kelsey does all of that and then some (including never forgetting to grab your favorite coffee order, often without asking 😉☕️).

Truthfully, there’s hardly any document with Lisa’s signature that Kelsey has not also touched somewhere along the way.

There’s a high likelihood she put together those detailed binders you see in the courtroom with us 📚📒

For you, all of that means less stress because more support makes sure the details do not get lost in the chaos that can come with family law matters.

While Kelsey is certainly organized and has a work ethic that cannot be taught, she’s also the team member who quietly makes everyone around her better and one of those teammates you simply cannot imagine doing this without.

We are incredibly lucky to have her and if you have worked with her, chances are you already know exactly what we mean. 💙

This team is Helping You Move Forward because of people like her.

🌎💙 YOUR CHILD’S WORLD IS BIGGER THAN MOM AND DAD 👀In the thick of a custody dispute, fighting for your child, it is easy...
05/18/2026

🌎💙 YOUR CHILD’S WORLD IS BIGGER THAN MOM AND DAD 👀

In the thick of a custody dispute, fighting for your child, it is easy to feel like your relationship is the center of everything.

And of course it matters. A LOT.

But while your child may be your “whole world,” a child’s world is rarely built around just one person. It is shaped by MANY people.

Under Virginia Code § 20-124.3, courts are required to consider important relationships in a child’s life, including things like:

💙 Biological siblings
💜 Half-siblings and blended families
🏡 Stepparents and step-siblings
👫 Friends and peers
👵 Grandparents and extended family
⭐ Role models and mentors
🎓 Teachers, coaches, caregivers, and other important developmental figures
🩵 People who may not be biologically related, but who still feel like family

Because sometimes a sibling or stepparent becomes a child’s safe place. Sometimes the people who feel most like family are not defined by titles or biology.

And sometimes something adults think is a small issue can feel HUGE to a child.

Keeping siblings together, aligning schedules in blended families, preserving important relationships, permitting travel or time to vacation with extended family, and making sure children can continue growing up alongside the people who matter to them can become a really big deal. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Custody cases are not just about schedules and the parents directly involved. They are about understanding the relationships that help shape a child’s world and creating functional and healthy access to those relationships. 🌎 💙

Helping children preserve those meaningful relationships is an important part of Helping You Move Forward✨

05/16/2026

🎶📻💿🎤 “Don’t you… forget about me… DON’T, DON’T, DON’T, DON’T!” 🎤💿📻🎶

🌅 🚗As you drive off into the sunset with relief that your divorce is finally OVER... don’t forget there may be a few loose ends.

We know. You’re ready to leave this chapter in the rear view mirror. 👋

But a FINAL Order does NOT mean everything is automatically changed and FINISHED. 😭

Your Divorce Decree may tell you what is supposed to happen, but many of these things still require you to take next steps to make them happen.

Some may involve:
✔️Deadlines
✔️Additional Court Orders
✔️Forms or signatures from both parties
✔️Updating accounts and documents

The divorce may be final, but the to-do list sometimes isn’t. 😬

Spending a little time checking these items now can help prevent BIG headaches later.

As you navigate these next steps, we are still here Helping You Move Forward 💙

⚽🏀⚾️🏒🎭 “It’s JUST a game.” …until it becomes part of a custody dispute.A huge surprise for many separated parents is ho...
05/15/2026

⚽🏀⚾️🏒🎭 “It’s JUST a game.”
…until it becomes part of a custody dispute.

A huge surprise for many separated parents is how quickly extracurricular activities can become a major source of conflict.

Because these disputes are rarely JUST about the activity itself. 👀

They often become disputes about:
⏰ Parenting time
💰 Money
📅 Scheduling
📲 Communication
🚗 Transportation
⚖️ Control and co-parenting

Travel sports, dance, gymnastics, theater, club teams, and competitive activities can create REAL tension between parents when schedules become demanding or expensive.

And these conflicts can become even MORE emotional when one parent lives farther away and depends heavily on summers, holidays, and weekends for parenting time. ✈️

To one parent, nonstop camps, preseason practices, tournaments, and travel weekends can feel like the activity is slowly taking away the limited time they already have with their child.

To the other parent, it can feel like the child’s interests, goals, friendships, and opportunities are being blocked or sacrificed because of the custody schedule.

Neither concern is always “wrong,” which is why these cases can become so difficult. ⚖️

Some of the most common arguments we see:
❌ “I never agreed to pay for this.”
❌ “This is interfering with my parenting time.”
❌ “They signed our child up without asking me.”
❌ “Our child is overwhelmed.”

And courts are often looking at much more than the activity itself.

Judges may consider:
✔️ Whether the child genuinely enjoys the activity
✔️ Whether the child is overscheduled
✔️ Which parent is encouraging healthy involvement
✔️ Which parent is creating unnecessary conflict
✔️ Whether the activity has become part of the child’s long-term routine and stability

As children get older, extracurriculars can become even MORE important in custody cases because school sports, theater, music, and competitive programs often shape a teenager’s actual day-to-day life and future opportunities. 🎭🏈🎻

One of the biggest mistakes we see with families facing these issues?
Custody agreements that say almost NOTHING about extracurricular activities.

Clear agreements can help address:
📌 Who decides activities (or how to manage the opportunity to both decide)
📌 How costs are shared
📌 Transportation and attendance responsibilities
📌 Scheduling during the other parent’s time
📌 Travel expectations
📌 Communication requirements
📌 Opportunities to participate or attend during the other parent’s parenting time

At the end of the day, courts are usually less focused on whether an activity is “good” or “bad” and more focused on whether the parents are acting reasonably and prioritizing the child over the conflict. ⚖️

Having the RIGHT custody order in place can often reduce years of unnecessary conflict by setting clear expectations before disagreements happen.

Because at the end of the day, extracurricular activities should be about supporting the child, not creating more battles between parents.

Helping families create workable solutions and healthier co-parenting dynamics is part of what it means to keep Helping You Move Forward. ⚖️✨

We’re grateful for the trust our clients place in us every day. Reviews like this remind us why we do what we do.At Jack...
05/14/2026

We’re grateful for the trust our clients place in us every day. Reviews like this remind us why we do what we do.

At Jackson Nelson, we’re committed to Helping You Move Forward through every step of the legal process.

Thank you to our clients for your kind words and continued confidence in our team. 💙

Address

109 E. Main Street, Suite 600
Norfolk, VA
23510

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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