The internet is a dangerous place. It’s a place where its difficult to tell an expert from a novice, and where each freely, generously, and emphatically give their own opinions. Sometimes, the two coexist side by side, and it can be hard to determine which is correct. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve...
When does a child in Virginia get to choose a custodial parent?
Parenting Plans and Parenting Time These days, its probably safe to say that shared custody is more the norm than primary physical custody, except in cases where the parties agree otherwise. There is no explicit, legal presumption for shared custody in Virginia, though; in fact, the law only provides that the judge should consider “all”...
It might not seem possible, but, under the law, a parent can kidnap his or her own child. It’s not common – in fact, it’s actually quite rare – but its something that can and does happen, and that you should be aware of. Parental kidnapping happens when a parent takes a child in...
As everyone always says, there’s no book on how to be a good parent. The nurses at the hospital didn’t send you home with a manual. There are books and online courses and old wives tales, but there’s no consensus on how to raise a child in the best way possible. We all screw up...
I recently recorded a podcast (which will likely air sometime in September – so stay tuned!), and wrote a blog article about giving advice that clients don’t want to hear. When I was talking with Sheera Herrell about custody on that podcast, she quickly identified custody concerns as the #1 category of types of advice...
With over a decade (!!!) of experience under her belt, Caitlin Walters is a formidable attorney dedicated to representing women exclusively in family law. There are a lot of family lawyers out there, and it can be hard to decide who to hire. Obviously, you want someone good – able to take your case to...
I’ve said it before and, though it pains me, I’ll say it again. Where domestic violence and child abuse are concerned, the court is very, very jaded. It’s not just the courts, either. Attorneys, too, can become jaded. We hear terrible stories, day in and day out, and, sometimes, they’re not true, or they’re...
In almost every case where child custody is a component – which can be either a petition or a modification of child custody, visitation, and/or child support at the juvenile court level, or a divorce where there are minor children involved – the mothers tell me that their main concern is their children. On some...