Few things in the world are scarier than facing a custody and visitation case. Few things, too, are more difficult to gather up-to-date, state-specific information about – at least, if the information you’re looking for is also credible.
There are a lot of non-attorneys out there offering advice and opinions, much of which – though well-meaning – is not accurate, is misleading, or is anecdotal at best. Though it’s tempting to listen to people, especially when they speak with authority, it really is important to consider the source and, especially where something as serious and life-altering as custody and visitation are concerned, to make sure to get the specific information you need from a trustworthy source.
Who – or what – is a trustworthy source? Well, when it comes to divorce and custody law, you want to talk to lawyers. Licensed to practice and experienced in handling divorce and custody cases. Who live and practice in the state where your case will be held.
It sounds simple enough, but you’d be surprised how often people don’t take the trouble to try to get the information they need – or who get information from other sources and, for one reason or another, take it to heart as gospel without checking with someone who really knows about divorce and custody.
It’s not their fault. After all, the information can be hard to find, confusing and, at times, conflicting. Custody cases everywhere are incredibly fact-specific, so it can be hard to tell how one small detail might change the entire overall analysis of a case. Still, it’s important to take the time to get the information you need.
Probably the main reason people don’t go straight to attorneys – after all, it’s not as though they don’t know that they should – is because it’s expensive. And that’s scary, too!
I want information about custody cases in Virginia, but I don’t know if I want to hire an attorney – or even if that’s a possibility for me.
You want information to start, but you’re not ready to decide whether you’re going to hire an attorney. Or, if you want to hire an attorney, you’re really scared that it’ll be too expensive for you.
But you need the information.
So, what can you do?
Attend Custody Bootcamp for Moms!
Custody Bootcamp for Moms is an intense, all day custody seminar for women. (No, there’s no such seminar for men!)
It focuses on teaching moms everything they need to know to represent themselves in a custody case in the Virginia courts, including
- how custody and visitation are determined in Virginia,
- the ten, all-important best interests of the child factors (what they mean and how they work),
- how to request, gather, and produce evidence to prepare for trial,
- how to make a trial notebook,
- how to question and cross examine witnesses (and survive being questioned and cross examined yourself)
- when to sit and stand and how to address the judge,
- what to wear to court,
- how to prepare an opening and closing argument, and
- so much more.
You know, lawyers don’t come straight out of law school knowing how to handle trials! It’s a skill we’ve honed over the years – and we can teach you.
I already have an attorney. Or, actually, I don’t – but I don’t really want to do it myself.
That’s fine, too. You don’t have to do it yourself. But, whether you hire an attorney or go at it alone, you really do want to understand the laws that are in place and how they apply in a custody case – or, more accurately, YOUR custody case.
One of the best ways you can get, essentially, a primer on custody and visitation in Virginia is by attending Custody Bootcamp for Moms. This is true regardless of whether you have an attorney, hope to hire an attorney, or plan to represent yourself in your upcoming custody case.
Maybe you want to check up on your current attorney. Or you want to go into the process of selecting and hiring an attorney with as much information as possible so that you can make the best choices for yourself and your kids.
Whatever the case may be, knowledge is power, and you are wise to seek it. We’ve designed the seminar to be helpful for women who are hoping to represent themselves, but do-it-yourselfers aren’t the only ones who’d benefit from attending Custody Bootcamp for Moms!
Custody Bootcamp for Moms: The Details
When: January 27th – but we offer it quarterly on the fourth Saturday of the month in January, April, July, and October.
Time: The seminar begins at 9am, but we stay until the last woman’s last question is answered – often, 2-3pm.
Who: Presented by attorney Caitlin Walters, who has also worked as a Guardian ad litem, and is a co-author of our women’s custody guide for Virginia moms.
Where: Zoom! But you can register online by clicking here.
Cost: It’s $297 to register for the seminar, but scholarship(s) are available.
How do I get information about a Custody Bootcamp for Moms scholarship?
Great question!
Scholarship is a big part of our mission to help Virginia women in divorce and custody cases – well, and all across the board. We offer one scholarship per CBC session. To apply for consideration, send me an email at kcarter@hoflaw.com, just describing your case and why you need the scholarship. Otherwise, keep the date available; we’ll make a final selection no later than the Monday before the seminar – so, for the January 2024 date, January 22nd.
The seminar is on Zoom but you’ll want to make sure you hold the date and, ideally, that you’ve arranged childcare – because it’s a long time for kids to behave (and you want to get all you need to get out of the seminar itself). You’ll want to have an easy lunch to grab and a notepad to write down all of your notes and questions as you go.
Just like in our monthly divorce seminar, you’ll be able to ask your questions live to attorney Caitlin Walters! We do ask that you keep your questions general, because it’s not a confidential forum, but still – it’s a great way to get all of the information you need about your case.
For more information or to register to attend, give us a call at 757-425-5200. To apply to be considered for a scholarship, send me an email directly at kcarter@hoflaw.com. We hope to see you at Custody Bootcamp for Moms!