Can my child’s other parent refuse to allow me to leave with the child?
We get a lot of questions about what your child’s other parent can and can’t do as the situation moves towards a separation. I get it – it’s scary, it’s emotionally charged, and it can get ugly, really, really fast. There’s really nothing that pulls on our heartstrings quite as quickly and aggressively and viscerally…
Filed under: Uncategorized Tag with: abuse | child custody | child's other parent | custody order | domestic violence | leave with child | parental kidnapping | protective order | separation | travel with child | virginia | visitation
Amber Alerts, Parental Kidnapping, and Emma Grace Kennedy
When Emma Grace Kennedy was kidnapped last week by her sex offender father at a gas station, it seems like EVERYBODY knew about it right away. There were Amber Alert billboards, text messages, and stories on the news. It’s every mom’s worst nightmare, especially for moms who are separated from their children’s fathers, but especially…
Filed under: Uncategorized Tag with: abusive father | amber alert | child support | custody | emma grace kennedy | losing custody | parental kidnapping | primary physical custody | protective order | registered sex offender | sole custody | substance abuse | terminate parental rights | virginia | visitation
Parental Kidnapping in Virginia
It happens semi regularly that we end up with a client who has moved with her child (or children) to another state over dad’s objection. If dad doesn’t care, it’s not a really big deal. If he does, though, and he files an emergency petition for custody, you could find yourself up the proverbial creek…
Filed under: Uncategorized Tag with: best interests of the child | child support | custody | custody order | parental kidnapping | relocation | virginia | visitation
Will he take our child and run?
For most moms where a custody case is at stake, one of the biggest, most suffocating fears they have is the possibility that their child’s father will take the child and not return him. Whether he takes the child and runs or whether he just refuses to return him to mom, it doesn’t matter; the…
Filed under: Child Custody Tag with: child support | custody | custody agreement | custody order | parental kidnapping | taking the child and running | visitation
Can I move with our child in Virginia?
If you’re feeling unsafe, it’s only natural to want to run away—particularly if the very person who is making you feel unsafe is your child’s father. In my career, I’ve heard some pretty awful horror stories about the situations that have made my clients feel like they have no choice other than to flee. Usually,…
Filed under: Uncategorized Tag with: best interests of the child | child custody | child's father | moving with child | parental kidnapping | relocation | visitation