Recently, on Facebook, as I mindlessly scrolled (come on, you know you do it, too) I saw a video that showed a child fighting a visitation exchange. The video alleged that the child was resisting going to spend time with her mother, because her mother’s boyfriend abused her. The end of it – the moral, I guess, of the story – was that, in family courts, children aren’t listened to and justice isn’t served. It got my back up, a little, to be honest. It’s allegations, for one thing. And the … [Read more...]
Virginia custody issues: when you suspect your child is being abused
I’m a mom, too, so I get it. Protecting those little people is literally the only job in the world that matters, and when you feel like the health, safety, and well being of your children is threatened – well, it’s understandable if it makes you feel a little crazy. When the health, safety, and well being of your children is threatened by your child’s father, it’s even worse. And it’s not uncommon at all! I’ve been around the block a few times now and seen a lot of different types of cases, … [Read more...]
Protective Orders and Divorce
Domestic violence is often a big part of a divorce case. It’s sad (and really, really scary) but true. We see these types of cases all the time. When I first started practicing family law, I was surprised at how many cases there were that involved some kind of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; maybe that was naïve of me, but that’s the truth. Today, so many years later, I don’t think there’s much you could tell me that would surprise me. Domestic violence is everywhere, and it’s so much … [Read more...]
Virginia Child Custody Seminar for Moms
We talked Wednesday about how difficult child custody cases are (and particularly the cases where sexual abuse is an issue). If you’re facing a custody case, there’s no doubt that you’re feeling anxious and overwhelmed. There’s a lot at stake in a custody case and, chances are, if you’re willing to go to court, it’s because you have some very serious concerns about your situation. There’s nothing worse than being scared about the safety and well being of your children, unless it’s being afraid … [Read more...]
Virginia Child Custody: Sexual Abuse Cases
Sexual abuse cases are some of the most difficult we see in our practice. Well, really, all custody cases are difficult, as you can probably imagine, because there is so much involved. When it comes to regular divorce cases, there’s a limit to the amount of money, time, and frustration people will expend on a particular asset—even one as valuable as, say, the marital home. When there’s custody involved, though, it’s not possible to put a dollar figure on the case. And, besides that, emotions … [Read more...]
Virginia Custody Cases Where There is Abuse
As a mother, you would do anything for your children. It’s a cliché and yet, at the same time, it’s also incredibly true. It’s something I’ve witnessed time and time again in my practice, talking to moms who are in the middle of fighting for, or are preparing to fight for, custody of their children. In most cases, though that protective momma bear comes out regardless, custody is a relatively simple thing to determine. Both mom and dad are reasonably good parents, though they were (for … [Read more...]
