Does my teenager have to go to visitation with his father? I hate these cases. Really, really hate them. I see moms with some frequency who come in and tell me that they were trying not to make any future issues with custody and visitation, but that their child asked them to intervene for one reason or another. Usually, these children are older teenagers (15+) and they’ve asked, for whatever reason, not to be forced to go to visitation with their fathers. The moms, more often than not, feel … [Read more...]
How child support is calculated: Part 2
On Monday, we started talking about child support, and how it’s calculated. It’s actually pretty straightforward, though the child support guideline figures can vary dramatically, which makes it a refreshing area of law. We ran the guidelines a bunch of different ways, using the same income figures, to show you the difference between one and two children, and primary physical and shared physical custody. It can make a big difference! There are lots of issues that come up when it … [Read more...]
How is Virginia child support calculated?
How is Virginia child support calculated? Child support is one of those refreshing areas of law where there are black and white, hard and fast answers. As long as we know what numbers – regarding your income and your child’s father’s income, daycare expenses, health care expenses, etc – we can quickly and easily compute child support. From that point, it doesn’t matter whether your attorney runs the guidelines, his attorney runs the guidelines, or the judge runs the guidelines – the number … [Read more...]
What is a typical custody schedule?
What is a typical custody schedule? Well, first off, let me say: there is no such thing as a “typical” custody schedule. Though there are some arrangements that courts (and parents) favor over others, there are literally as many different types of arrangements with respect to custody as there are parents and children out there in the world. There’s no right or wrong, really – though that’s not to suggest that, if a court orders a specific custody arrangement, you’ll necessarily love the way … [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...]
Grandparents in Custody and Visitation Cases
At this point, very little that I see is something that I’m seeing for the first time. Most of the time that’s good, because it means I have a level of familiarity with a lot of different scenarios, and I at least have some experience to draw on, even if the combination of circumstances is unique in each case. Sometimes, though, even when things are NOT new or unusual to me, I still find it surprising. One of those things is when my client tells me that her parents were abusive – and then, in … [Read more...]
Super Dad: A Virginia Custody Phenomenon
Watch out for Super Dad! “Super Dad” is a special kind of phenomenon that is unique to custody and visitation cases. In most families, while mom and dad are together, it’s the mom who bears the brunt of the parenting responsibility. It’s normally mom who drives the carpools, attends the parent teacher conferences, schedules all the doctors appointments, never forgets a birthday, runs out for poster board the night before the school project is due… and on and on and on. Both the physical and the … [Read more...]
Custody Issues: Back to School Drama
Custody issues: back to school drama Back to school often raises a whole host of issues for parents who are separated or divorced. Really, any time there’s a big change with the kids, it can pose issues for separated or divorced parents, but I feel like back to school is often one of those points that, year after year, we run into the same issues. I get it: it’s challenging. And married, separated, divorced, whatever – raising children is hard work. There’s no instruction manual. And so much … [Read more...]
Custody and visitation when you live separate in the same house
Custody and visitation when you live separate in the same home After you’ve decided to separate, but before you reach an agreement about how all the assets and liabilities should be divided (or, alternatively, before a judge has a chance to hear the case and render a verdict), there’s a fair bit of gray. What happens with everything – but, probably, most specifically, what happens with respect to custody and visitation – is up in the air. It’s not a really good place to be. Uncertainty … [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...]
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