Petitions to Modify Virginia Child Custody As you probably are already aware, once you have a child with someone, they never really go away. In a divorce or a breakup where there are no children, the parties are free to go their own separate ways and never see each other again. It’s not only desirable but encouraged. There’s no reason for them to have any future contact. A divorce is seamless; it completely, totally, and permanently separates the two former partners. With kids, it just … [Read more...]
Is Virginia’s Custody Law Revision a Big Win for Shared Custody?
Is Virginia’s Custody Law Revision a Big Win for Shared Custody? No way around it, dividing up parenting time with your child’s father is a scary task. For most moms, the thought that you won’t be able to be with your child any time you like is overwhelming. It’s especially overwhelming since July 1, since new legislation came down. I wrote a post awhile back updating everyone on all the changes to the law beginning on the 1st of July, but I’ve found that one of the things people want to … [Read more...]
What if my child is subpoenaed in a custody case
What if my child is subpoenaed in a custody case? Custody cases are about as common as…well, something that’s very common. We see them literally all the time, and they can come about in a bunch of different ways. Obviously, you don’t have to be married to have a custody case; you just have to share a child in common with your former partner. So, some custody cases are part of a larger divorce action, while others relate only to shared children. Still others are modifications of previously … [Read more...]
Working with a GAL
Guardians ad litem – attorneys appointed to represent the interests of the child(ren) involved in your family law case – are scary. They’re necessary, too, because in a lot of cases, they’re really the only ones with the ability to look at both sides and make a recommendation to the judge. But…they make a recommendation to the judge! And, in my experience, their recommendations are generally regarded pretty seriously. So, yeah, that’s a little scary. Inviting someone you don’t know into your … [Read more...]
Can I get a job while my divorce is pending?
Clients fall on either side of the spectrum. Either they do whatever they want, with very little thought for the consequences, or they want to run every little change by you before they make it on the off chance that it’ll somehow impact their case in some kind of way that they might not have foreseen. Obviously, I prefer the latter. Though there are so many things that an attorney doesn’t need to weigh in on (go ahead, switch brands of toothpaste!), there are, on the other hand, so, so, so … [Read more...]
Will having a new boyfriend hurt my Virginia child custody case?
Will having a new boyfriend hurt my custody case? Statistically speaking, you will find love again. For many women in the midst of divorce and custody cases, there’s nothing further from their minds. For many others, though, love seems to find them – and follow them. Sometimes, even before their divorces are finalized. Some are determined to find love again, as quickly as possible. Some have reconnected with an old flame on social media. Some ask before they start up a relationship; some don’t … [Read more...]
Non Parent Rights in Virginia Custody
Everything changes when mom and dad can’t make it work. Things that used to work out and were generally accepted sometimes don’t continue to work, especially where nonparents are concerned. Specifically: grandparents. Here’s the typical scenario: mom and dad are happy together (married or unmarried, it’s irrelevant). Mom’s mom is super active in the kid’s lives, and everyone is happy. Maybe grandma even provides daycare. It’s not a problem. The kids love her, she loves the kids. Everybody is … [Read more...]
Custody and Visitation: Bad Result in Juvenile Court
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 custody trial date, and that just isn’t so. It’s just the opportunity for the parties to come and explain the issues to the judge (not to really present evidence, just to lay it all out there … [Read more...]
My first custody court date
If your first custody court date is coming up, you’re probably a barrel full of nerves. If you’re anything like me, whenever anything stressful is approaching, you get that “can’t eat, can’t sleep” feeling. When it relates to your children, that feeling is probably amplified by, like, a million – and, especially since we’re dealing with a court system that you’re, in all likelihood, relatively unfamiliar with, it can’t be easy. You’re probably wondering what to expect. How to prepare. What … [Read more...]
Moms Versus Dads in Virginia Custody Cases
Full Disclosure: Our firm represents women exclusively in divorce and custody cases. If you’re looking for something written by activists for Father’s rights, you’re in the wrong place. Custody cases are complicated and constantly changing, which probably explains why there is so much misunderstanding out there. I meet with one woman who tells me she knows she won’t lose custody because moms always win, and another who tells me that her child’s father says he’s going to take the child and … [Read more...]
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