Child Custody VA Virginia Custody Laws Fairfax Lawyer

When filing for a divorce or legal separation, child custody is one of the main issues that a couple may face. Due to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, custody laws are very similar throughout the Unites States. In the state of Virginia, child custody, support and visitation are decided in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

The court takes the child’s best interest and own wishes into consideration when deciding on custody.

The following are the types of custody that may be granted in the state of Virginia:

Joint Legal Custody

• Joint legal care, in accordance to the laws of Virginia, means that both parents have the right to make any major decisions that will affect the minor. Decisions such as medical care, religious upbringing and education are made by both parents regardless of who the child is living with.

Joint Physical Custody

• When joint physical care is granted, the minor will live under the care of both parents based on an agreed upon schedule (alternating weeks, months etc.)

Sole Custody

• In sole custody, only one parent has the legal right to make decisions that may affect the minor. The child will reside with this parent while the other parent may reserve the right to visitation. Sole guardianship is not easily granted in Virginia. However, under certain circumstances, where the court finds that it is in the minor’s best interest, sole guardianship may be granted. For example, if there is a complete breakdown of parental communication where parents cannot communicate with one another and come to an agreement on issues related to their children, sole guardianship is granted. It may also be granted if the court believes that a parent is unable to make appropriate decisions involving their minor. Other circumstances that the court in Virginia has granted sole guardianship include:
• Child Abuse
• Drug Addiction
• Parental Alienation

Child Support

Child Support is granted to provide the minor with the same benefits he/she would have obtained if guardians were still married or living within the same household. In the state of Virginia, both guardians are required by law to pay a certain amount of money that should support the minor and cover costs such as medical care, food, clothing etc. While both guardians are obligated to make these payments, the guardian with legal/physical care is the only one allowed to demand juvenile maintenance. This is because the court automatically assumes that the custodial guardian is already covering costs that involve childcare.

Visitation

In Virginia, when sole legal guardianship is granted, there are usually terms of visitation put into place for the non-custodial guardian. If both guardians cannot come to an agreement on a schedule for visitation, a judge will enforce a schedule for them. Visitation days assigned by a judge are usually on special occasions (e.g. Christmas) and school breaks. Supervision may be required during visitation. Visitation may be refused if it is not in the child’s best interest. However, it is rare for the state of Virginia to demand that a parent completely cut ties with their child, even in cases that involve abuse, addiction or mental health issues. If you need a Virginia Child Custody lawyer to help you with your minor guardianship case in Virginia, call us at 888-437-7747. Our Virginia Child Custody attorneys can help you.

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