Breaking up is hard to do, and it can make your emotions flare, especially your temper. When you allow your anger to take control, you may find yourself in hot water with the law. If you get charged with domestic violence, the Virginia family law court may wind up...
Child Custody
How a DUI may affect your custodial rights
After an officer charged you for allegedly drinking and driving, you worry about your child custody rights. You currently hold a visitation agreement with your ex-spouse, but if a judge suspends your license, how will you drive to visit your children? Fighting your...
How Courts Look At Custody Determinations
Before a divorce or other legal action involving a court custody order, parents are granted equal rights to the physical custody of the child. Only a court order can change that dynamic. The law in Virginia has long held that parents be treated equally, meaning that...
Can you fight for sole custody?
If you're a parent going through divorce, one thing you may be worried about is obtaining custody. In most courts, judges want to see parents share custody. This is because it's healthier for children to see both parents. However, judges will allow for sole custody or...
Parenting time interference is a violation of the law
It's very important that both parents get time with their children following a divorce. In most cases, parenting time is spelled out in court documents, making it easy to see where your child should be and when. If you interfere with the visitation schedule without...
Does Virginia require shared custody?
Many states now believe that sharing parenting time and rights is a good idea for divorcing couples. There's data to suggest that children do better when their parents are both equally in their lives. Additionally, it takes the stress off a single parent and shares...
Remember, appearances make a difference in court
You love your child more than anyone else. Your ex-spouse does, too, but you want to know that your child is being raised right. You want custody, and you want to make sure you're in at least some control over what happens to your child. When you have worries about...
CPS investigations, custody and court: 5 things you should know
Virginia's child protective services (CPS) agency workers are charged with protecting kids, but sometimes they can go too far, to the detriment of children and their parents' rights. Parents can be harmed in ways that relate to family law and criminal law. If you are...
Questions people ask about LGBT child custody in Virginia
Child custody is a very challenging issue for parents who are going through a divorce or breakup. For same-sex couples who are separating, that custody-related stress can be even greater because of the legal disadvantages they may face in Virginia. Every parent wants...
What are Virginia’s custody laws?
Custody laws vary in every state, but they are extremely similar. That's thanks in part to the Uniform Child Custody Act (UCCA), which is designed to make custody decisions hold up between states. For example, if a mother wins custody in Florida, the father can't take...