The only comment I have on the melinda situation is that Virginia does have a pseudo-vexatious litigant deal where a pre-filing injunction can be placed upon them. See
Switzer v. Switzer and
Dora L. Adkins v. CP/IPERS Arlington Hotel LLC.
The 4th Circuit (which covers virginia) employs an identical method of pre-filing injunctions.
Whether that is an effective solution against Melinda is another question entirely. There's definitely the issue that you brought up, that she could just try to sue you in another and start the nightmare all over again. Its also that of course asking the court for this is thousands of dollars and the court is pretty unlikely to grant an injunction such as this unless you can produce like, dozens and dozens of examples of frivolous litigation.
And thats your fucking money, I wouldn't want to spend it on this bullshit either.