Can my child’s other parent refuse to allow me to leave with our 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 as our children. We can’t help it. It’s biological. But what do you do? You can’t stay where you are … [Read more...]
Communication when your child is sick
Communication when your child is sick Having a sick kid is bad enough. Having to deal with your child’s father while you have a sick kid is even worse. Most agreements – and court orders – specify that when the child is in your care, you need to notify the child’s other parent of any illness or injury. Now, I think we can be reasonable here, and assume that doesn’t mean that you have to let your child’s father know every single time your child sneezes or has a slightly runny nose. (Unless, … [Read more...]
Girl’s Night Out at the Ocean View Fishing Pier 2019
Girl’s Night Out at the Ocean View Fishing Pier It’s that time of the year again! It’s time for one of our favorite-ever Girl’s Night Out events at the Ocean View Fishing Pier. If you’ve never been there, you’re probably thinking, “A fishing pier? What?” but that’s only because you’ve never been there. It’s such a cool venue – unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been. At the Ocean View Fishing Pier, there is a pier, yes. I mean, obviously. And you can go fishing. But, even more importantly, … [Read more...]
How do I get sole custody?
How do I get sole custody? All moms want sole custody. Hey, I get it – I’m a mom, too. And let’s just say that I share your belief that no one can do it – that is, mom my child – better than I can. And, in your case, there may very well be other issues, too. There’s often domestic violence, or differences in temperament and parenting style. Maybe he has mental health issues, or problems with drug, alcohol, or other substance abuse. There can be lots of reasons -- good, bad, and otherwise – … [Read more...]
Can I sign this prenuptial agreement?
Can I sign this prenuptial agreement? Women frequently bring us in already drafted agreements for our review and comment. Usually, a drafted agreement – whether it’s a prenuptial agreement, a marital agreement, or a separation agreement – includes some sort of language that says there’s been a full and frank disclosure of the assets and liabilities, and also that each party has had an opportunity to consult counsel with respect to the agreement. A full and frank disclosure of the assets and … [Read more...]
Custody Bootcamp for Moms: Seminar for Virginia Moms
Custody Bootcamp for Moms: Seminar for Virginia Moms On Wednesday, I wrote about our divorce seminar for Virginia women. Today, I wanted to tell you a little bit more about our custody seminar. Our custody seminar in particular is really intense. It’s an intense, all day seminar, designed to teach Virginia moms what they need to know to represent themselves at the juvenile court level in a custody, visitation, and/or child support case. As someone who attended law school, I can tell you that … [Read more...]
Determining Custody and Visitation
Determining Custody and Visitation If you’re like me, you hate the idea of living with uncertainty. Even worse than uncertainty generally is uncertainty where your children are concerned. If you don’t have anything official regarding custody and visitation – no agreement or court order – then both you and your child’s father have custody. That sounds unpalatable to you? You want to do something about it to ensure that you have the type of custody that you feel you should have given the level … [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...]
Shared Custody: The New Rules
Shared Custody: The new rules In July of 2018, the law regarding custody was revised. The statute now specifically provides that “[t]here shall be no presumption in favor of any form of custody.” Based on wording alone, I’m not sure that this represents any real legal change at all. I was actually already under the impression that judges considered all the different kinds of custodial arrangements more or less equally, and applied whatever they believed to be appropriate to the case at … [Read more...]
Moving Away With the Children: Virginia Child Custody Issues
Moving Away with the Children Over time, the law changes and evolves. I see trends – even just in the 8 or so years that I’ve been practicing – come and go. It’s funny how that can happen, but, in custody cases, so much is left up to the judge’s discretion. These things really can be different year over year, and there can be seismic shifts in judge’s viewpoints. And not necessarily in just one court, either; sometimes, it seems like all the judges get a particular memo at the same time, while … [Read more...]
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