In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the "best interests of the child" standard serves as the foundation for every custody determination. Under Virginia state law, judges evaluate the mental and physical health of each parent and their ability to meet the child’s basic...
A competitive job offer in a different state may be the best possible opportunity for a parent’s financial situation after a divorce. Parents working to rebuild their lives while sharing custody may be eager to move to a location where not everyone knows about their...
In Virginia, courts usually favor joint custody because it supports a child’s stability and relationships with both parents. Full (sole) custody is only considered when evidence shows joint custody may harm the child or fails to meet the child’s best interests....
Many children develop special relationships with their grandparents, and enjoy spending time and keeping in touch with them. For some children, a visit to a grandparent’s home feels like a special treat. There are many reasons why a grandparent may want to step in and...
High-conflict divorce cases in Roanoke, Virginia, present unique challenges, especially when it comes to child custody decisions. These cases often involve intense disputes, making custody arrangements particularly complex. Judges work through these decisions with a...
When you’re a parent going through a divorce in Virginia, a judge's decisions about custody can feel overwhelming. It's a complex process, but it all comes down to one fundamental principle: the best interests of the child, meaning a court will evaluate each parent’s...
Sharing parental rights and responsibilities requires patience and compromise. There is often a significant adjustment period as parents in Virginia transition from spending every day with their children to sharing parenting time with each other. Inevitably,...
Co-parents share responsibility for their children and rights related to their upbringing. They should cooperate with each other for their children's benefit. Healthy co-parenting relationships can have a positive impact on everyone in the family. It does take quite a...
Parents in Virginia generally have a right to spend time with their children and have a say in their development. Parents choose what schools their children attend and what medical care they receive. They are also responsible for providing supervision and guidance on...
Sharing custody of your children will be a challenge even if the two of you try to handle things gracefully. Inevitably, emotions will become intense and there will be challenges that make sharing custody more difficult than usual. As you negotiate the division of...