Special Issues in custody: Breastfeeding Breastfeeding can become an issue in custody and visitation cases, as you can probably imagine. Breastfeeding in general is fairly controversial, but it may be safe to say that it’s at its most controversial when it comes to custody and visitation. Sure, some people get pretty bent out of shape when breasts are used for their intended purpose in public locations, but Virginia law on that point is pretty clear (specifically, you may lawfully breastfeed … [Read more...]
How much control does he have over where I live?
How much control does he have over where I live? “Control” is a common theme in divorce and custody cases. The truth is, though, that if you and your soon to be ex husband have children in common, there are often a lot of strings attached, though you may be surprised to find that it’s not your husband pulling the strings – it’s the court. It’s also not you that the courts have any authority over, it’s the children. After the divorce, you and your husband are legal strangers. He doesn’t have … [Read more...]
Will my child’s father get visitation if I’m breastfeeding?
Will my child’s father get visitation if I’m breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is something that comes up pretty often when we’re talking about custody and visitation of infants – and sometimes even toddlers and beyond! With the wealth of information that is available to us nowadays, most people are aware of the fact that the benefits of breastfeeding extend for as long as mom and child continue to nurse. For a lot of moms (myself included), establishing breastfeeding is difficult and fraught … [Read more...]
Will the court make me….? Issues in Virginia Divorce
Will the court make me…? Issues in Virginia Divorce I get asked all the time whether the court will make my client or prospective client do something lifestyle-based, like go back to work, put their kids in daycare, quit working, stop breastfeeding, stay in the same city as their ex husband, etc. In general, the answer is pretty clear. There’s not much that the court can MAKE you do when it comes to the decisions about how you live your personal life. Legally, well, let’s be honest: the court … [Read more...]
Should I take my husband to court?
Divorce and custody cases aren’t like personal injury cases. At the end of the day, all you have to divide is what was already there to begin with – so, most of the time, people wind up with less than they had before. I mean, if you think about it, it makes sense. If you sell your house, split the proceeds, and then buy two separate residences, there’s expense there. Two mortgages, two sets of utility bills, and so on. So, when it comes to thinking about how to handle your divorce, it’s wise to … [Read more...]
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 of things that, try as I might, I just can’t control. And there are some things that, even if an issue may seem simple up front, that doesn’t necessarily mean things will resolve quickly, easily, and … [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...]
What To Expect: Virginia Custody and Visitation
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 infant is different for an elementary school aged child, which is different from what is appropriate for a kid in his junior year of high school. The physical and mental condition of the … [Read more...]
