It’s a very rare thing for a parent to completely lose custody of their child. In most cases, because the courts feel so strongly that having two parents is in every child’s best interests, even deadbeat dads are reserved the right to visit with the child, and even if they never exercise that right. Even...
Child Custody
Even if you are awarded primary physical custody, you’re going to have to allow your child’s father to have some visitation with your child. For some women, this is a tough pill to swallow, especially if dad doesn’t typically make the best choices when he has the child or when the relationship between mom and...
In a custody case, the judge will have to make a decision about two different kinds of custody: physical custody and legal custody. These are two separate and distinct things under the law, and it’s important that you know the difference ahead of time so that you know exactly what you’re asking for when you...
In Virginia, custody cases are based on the “best interests of the child” standard, which means that’s what you and your child’s father (and your attorneys, if you have one) should be discussing when you’re in court. The judge is listening for these details, including specific references to the ten factors, which provide the foundation...
There are a number of pretty significant downsides to shared physical custody, which most of my clients are very quick to point out. It’s hard to stomach a custodial arrangement that doesn’t allow you to have primary physical custody. After all, a child needs an involved mother, right? Of course! Normally in a shared custody...
There’s no question that having shared physical custody of your minor children can create some difficulties. The reality, though, is that we’re seeing shared physical custody far more often than we used to. It seems like many dads are, for better or for worse, much more interested in actively being involved in the parenting of...
Parental alienation happens when one parent uses his or her influence over the child to make the other parent seem like the “bad guy.” It can happen both intentionally and unintentionally, and we see it a lot in divorce cases. The anger, hurt, and resentment one parent is feeling can sometimes spill over into their...
If you’re considering a divorce, you should get to know the child custody laws in Virginia. Divorce is a difficult time for a family, particularly the children, and the courts take child custody matters very seriously. Because the best interests of the child are the priority when deciding child custody in Virginia, the law takes...