What should a Virginia Guardian ad litem be doing?

Guardians ad litem are tricky. But they’re often necessary. And, perhaps even more to the point, we often don’t have a choice – they’re appointed in cases when a judge deems it necessary based on the best interests of the child, so sometimes, we just have to grin and bear it. It’s scary, to trust...

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On Wednesday, we talked about your first custody court date – otherwise known as your initial appearance – in juvenile court. You know, that first date in, where you presented the details to the judge and set a trial date. It’s a common misconception that the first custody court date is going to be the...

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Ballpark Virginia Custody Case Fees

Everyone (and I do mean everyone) wants us to give them just a “ballpark” figure for how much their case might cost. In some cases, that’s an easier thing to do than others. But, even so, costs can be a difficult thing to estimate. There are a lot of variables involved. There are a lot...

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Pro Bono Custody

Everybody wants pro bono help for their custody cases. I know, I know – it’s, like, probably the scariest thing ever, thinking you might lose your kids, especially if dad (or their grandparents, or whoever is fighting you) is abusive or would do everything in their power to keep the kids away from you. It’s...

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Working with a Virginia Guardian ad Litem

For moms facing a custody case, nothing strikes fear into their hearts quite like the possibility of working with a Guardian ad litem.  As a mom myself, I can understand the fear.  A lawyer (yes—a lawyer!) will have the opportunity to talk to you and your child’s father and even your child (without you present!)...

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Custody and visitation cases can run the gamut.  Of course, that’s because the facts involved in each case can differ dramatically from one to the next, and that can have a lot to do with how the judge rules.  A lot of factors can influence Virginia custody and visitation.  Obviously, what is appropriate for an...

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Kids as Witnesses in Virginia Custody Case

Custody cases are messy, and sometimes it really starts to feel like anything goes.  Allegations fly back and forth, and it quickly becomes a battle of he said/she said.  Parents understand, usually, that it’ll be difficult for a judge or a guardian ad litem to really get to the meat of the case because there...

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In the movies, children are often asked to decide which parent they want to live with after a divorce.  In popular culture, too, I think the understanding is there that, at a certain point, a kid can make decisions for himself about where he’ll spend the majority of his time.In the movies, children are often...

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