Melissa Leavister Exline

Melissa Leavister Exline

5.0
Rating: 9.1

Licensed for 23 years

Family Lawyer at Reno, NV
Practice Areas: Family, Estate Planning, Guardianship

3705 Lakeside Drive, Reno, NV

About Melissa

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Family 60%

Ms. Exline's focus in family law includes divorce matters, inclusive of complex marital property distribution issues, custody, relocation and child support. Non-married child custody matters and post-divorce modifications are also addressed regularly. Surratt Law Practice PC further meets the underserved area of Assisted Reproductive Technology clients, surrogacy, and adoptions.

18 years

60%
Estate Planning 35%

I draft Wills, Trusts, Health Care and Financial Powers of Attorney. This is my passion and I want to make sure all of Surratt Law's clients have their future needs met and can give their families the gift of an estate plan.

17 years

35%
Guardianship 5%

I litigate guardianship cases, fighting a request by a parent to terminate a guardianship, or fighting a third-party from obtaining one against a parent's wishes.

18 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Nevada for 22 years

State: Nevada

Acquired: 2003

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in California for 23 years

State: California

Acquired: 2003

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Melissa Leavister Exline

3705 Lakeside Drive, Reno, NV, 89509

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Melissa Leavister Exline's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
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5 stars 5
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1 star 0
Practice Areas

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Professionalism

Posted by anonymous | November 19, 2018 | Hired Attorney

Wonderful attorney

Melissa is fantastic. She is not only a very intelligent and well-prepared attorney, but also an attorney who calmly talked me through the whole legal process through one of the most difficult periods of my life. Thanks to her, my family is in a much better position than I had imagined possible. I re...commend her in the strongest possible terms.

Posted by Dina | May 18, 2011 | Child Custody

Client

Melissa is a wonderful Attorney, I would recommend her to everyone who wants a knowledgeable, caring , compassionate person, who so endlessly worked on my custody case involving 4 children. I will forever be greatful for all she has done, and will continue using her as needed. She understands people... and their feelings. She talks WITH you instead of at you which is a great tribute for an attorney.

Posted by Wayland | March 11, 2011 | Divorce & Separation

MELISSA EXLINE, AN EXCELLENT LAWYER

Melissa is extremely knowledgable, honest, and thorough.She was my lead attorney on a very complex divorce involving 2 children and millions of dollars. Legal proceedings were conducted simultaneously in two states. She managed to navagate through an absolute morass of legal issues. I not only wo...uld recommend Melissa but I already have to several Calif. attornies that may need Nevada representation.

See All Client Reviews

Melissa Leavister Exline's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melissa
Monica J. Caffaratti headshot
Monica Caffaratti

Family lawyer | Jul 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend Melissa to anyone looking for a skilled, caring family law attorney. Melissa is a knowledgeable, thorough, and effective advocate. She truly cares about her clients and it shows in her work!"

Travis Hunter Clark headshot
Travis Clark

Family lawyer | Sep 08

Relationship: Co-worker

"Melissa is a joy to work with, both from the perspectives of a client and co-worker. Her compassion is only matched by her outstanding experience. Whether working with her or against her, Melissa exudes professionalism and respect."

Jason M. Frierson headshot
Jason Frierson

Family lawyer | Aug 31

Relationship: Co-worker

"Melissa is a bright, committed lawyer who has been a tremendous asset to work with. Working with her on general family practice matters as well as estate planning, she is patient, thorough and reliable."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Eric Albert Pulver headshot
Eric Pulver

Family lawyer | Sep 07

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Melissa Exline is an excellent lawyer. She is reasonable in resolving cases. In addition, Ms. Exline and I litigated cases against each other. She was a prepared, thorough and tough litigator."

Kristi Beth Luna headshot
Kristi Luna

Family lawyer | Nov 07

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Laurie Alexandra Yott headshot
Laurie Yott

Family lawyer | Mar 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wish to give an outstanding endorsement to attorney Melissa Exline. I have known Melissa for many years and she is a skilled and competent attorney. Melissa and the other lawyers in her firm, are the best you can get in the areas of family law, divorce, domestic partnerships, adoption, estate planning and assisted reproductive technology law."

James A. McCarty headshot
James McCarty

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Melissa for a number of years and have always known her to be of very high intelligence, moral character and knowledge of her practice areas. I would endorse, and have recommended Melissa to other attorneys, to people in need of her services and would unconditionally recommend her for representation. Come to think of it, I need my will and estate reviewed and re-written. I'm calling Melissa soon!!"

Kimberly Mae Surratt headshot
Kimberly Surratt

Family lawyer | Mar 11

Relationship: Co-worker

"Melissa Exline and I first met before law school while studying for the LSAT. It has been my pleasure to continue working with her over the years due to her ethical stance on matters and her kindness to clients."

View All Endorsements
Kerry J. Eaton headshot
Kerry Eaton

Business lawyer

Bonnie Fleischer Drinkwater headshot
Bonnie Drinkwater

Business lawyer

Robert Cerceo headshot
Robert Cerceo

Family lawyer

Rayna L. Brachmann headshot
Rayna Brachmann

Family lawyer

Travis Hunter Clark headshot
Travis Clark

Family lawyer

Jason M. Frierson headshot
Jason Frierson

Family lawyer

Sarah Faith Hardy-Cooper headshot
Sarah Hardy-Cooper

Guardianship lawyer

Kristi Beth Luna headshot
Kristi Luna

Family lawyer

Eric Albert Pulver headshot
Eric Pulver

Family lawyer

Marshal Shawn Willick headshot
Marshal Willick

Family lawyer

Kimberly Mae Surratt headshot
Kimberly Surratt

Adoption lawyer

James A. McCarty headshot
James McCarty

Workers compensation lawyer

Laurie Alexandra Yott headshot
Laurie Yott

Workers compensation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.1 (Superb)

Honors

2014

Legal Elite, Nevada Business Magazine

2013

Legal Elite, Nevada Business Magazine

2012

Legal Elite Top 75 Attorneys, Nevada Business Magazine

2002

CALI, ERISA

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Attorney, Surratt Law Practice, PC

2003 - 2008

Associate, Perry and Spann, PC

2001 - 2002

Pension Benefit Associate, US Dept. of Labor

Associations

2008 - Present

State Bar of Nevada, Family Law Section

Member

2003 - Present

Washoe County Bar Association

Member

1998 - 1999

Golden Key National Honor Society

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Gregory v. Gregory, 281 P.3d 1178 (Nev. 2009)

Decree Affirmed

See More Legal Cases

Education

2002

Golden Gate Univ SOL

JD - Juris Doctor

1999

Univ of Nevada

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Nevada Family Law Conference

Guardianship - Paralegal Track

2013

CLE Reno and Las Vegas

Minor's Guardianship Litigation

2011

BNI Noon Networkers

Estate Planning

Publications

2001

Vol. 31, No. 2, Spring 2001, Forum on Law & Social Change Author, "Ambiguity Equals Authority: The Immigration and Naturalization Service's Response in the Elian Gonzalez Case,"

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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