Blog Category | Child custody and visitation

Co-parenting during the holidays tends to be a challenge. That said, successfully working with your ex to create harmony will make everything easier for your little one. Even if this goal seems impossible, there is no need to fear. By applying a few time-tested strategies, this period can be nothing...

According to a 2022 report by the US Census Bureau, among 10.9 million one-parent family groups, 38% of fathers and 29% of mothers were previously married and are now divorced. This statistic translates into a large number of homes with child custody orders in place. When you get a divorce,...

If your child’s other parent intends to move out of Virginia, you may have questions and concerns about child custody arrangements. In some cases, custody modification can address the potential impact of the move on your child’s well-being. It is important to understand the process of modifying child custody when...

When parents in Virginia decide to part ways, child custody issues may arise. Joint custody, where both parents share responsibilities for raising their children, is one option that prioritizes a child’s emotional and developmental needs. Joint custody may not be appropriate in all situations. However, many families who adopt this...

Child custody arrangements determine how parents share responsibilities and time with their children. In Virginia, courts approve these arrangements, keeping the best interests of the child at the forefront. However, circumstances often change, requiring modifications to these initial arrangements. Many reasons might necessitate a change in a child custody plan....

Coparenting after a divorce is notoriously tricky. Most couples do not divorce on a positive note but still have to work together for their children. If you and your former spouse have difficulties with communication or seeing eye-to-eye, you may want to utilize technology. Technology, particularly coparenting apps for your...

When making decisions about child custody matters, the court will always look at what is in the best interests of the child. This may not align with what you think is the right thing for your children. The law outlines what “best interests” means and how the court is to...

Despite knowing that two parents are better than one for your children, it may be difficult to imagine working together with your ex following a divorce. High-conflict divorce makes it difficult for two people to make agreements and work together without fighting. While children need both parents in their life,...

Charting a course forward for your children after divorce takes tremendous work. If your parenting plan is inadequate, you may find yourself in an even more difficult situation. The parenting plan sets out how you and your ex plan on co-parenting your children. While you may not think it needs...

Even though a parenting plan can be a useful tool for divorced families, a solid plan won’t anticipate every future disagreement. However, the parenting plan can provide guidelines for resolving conflicts and helping children adjust to a new routine. If you’re a Virginia resident, here are some important things you...

Parents in Virginia who are no longer together might have a contentious child custody battle. There are certain situations where it might be in your best interest to hire a private investigator ahead of your custody case. Why should you consider a private investigator? Your upcoming child custody battle might...

Sometimes custody arrangements need modification. According to Virginia law, child custody must reflect the child’s best interests. When circumstances change, your child’s interests may need reconsideration. If you worry about your child custody agreement, this article will explain why you might want to modify it. The court can change the...

Divorced Virginia parents must create child custody plans. One option is sole physical custody, but it’s important to know the pros and cons that go with it. What is sole physical custody? This type of child custody arrangement involves the child living with one parent, the primary custodial parent, over...

Many Virginia residents who have criminal records are parents. Those who are parents of young children might wonder if their criminal record can affect child custody proceedings. What factors can impact child custody when a parent has a criminal record? Every situation is different, which means that when child custody...

Family courts in Virginia want to ensure that a child stays in a safe and healthy home after the parents divorce or separate. Child custody and visitation hearings will review many aspects of the parents’ home lives and financial situations before making any determinations. Parents should take steps to familiarize...

Filing for divorce is a major life decision, especially when there are children involved. If you are preparing to dissolve your marriage in the state of Virginia, it is important to understand how living accommodations may affect the child custody order. The more familiar you are about custody orders, the...

Child custody disputes can bring out many feelings and emotions that Virginia parents may have trouble controlling. Maintaining your composure and sticking to the facts serve as one of the best ways to prevail in court. Understand that your case may come down to how the judge perceives you, and...

If you and your ex-spouse are trying to make proper child custody and visitation arrangements while separated by distance, you may want to consider virtual visitation. This form of visitation allows the non-custodial parent to send emails, engage in video conferences and send instant messaging to children. Virtual visitation can...

Just like not all divorces are the same, not all post-divorce custody situations work the same way either. Traditionally, in a joint custody situation, the parents set up separate households and the children move between the households according to the custody arrangement. However, having the children move so frequently does...

When parental alienation strikes, many parents falsely assume it will happen in a big way. This mistake can cost you everything. Often, by the time big signs show up, an alienating parent has already spent significant time working on their plan. So what can you do to help mitigate this...

With the holiday season upon us, you likely look forward to added time away from work to spend with your family. Yet getting the most out of that time can be difficult if you share custody of your kids with your ex-spouse. Coming up with a holiday visitation schedule that...

In any divorce when children are involved, child custody is likely one of the primary concerns divorcing parents have. As a result, it is beneficial for divorcing parents to be familiar with the child custody factors used to determine custody. Child custody is determined based on what is in the...

Child custody arrangements are usually set up with the assumption that the parents live within a reasonable distance of each other. While this is the case for many people, there might be instances in which one parent needs to move out of the area. There likely isn’t going to be...

Parents in Virginia who are getting divorced may need to create a parenting plan that addresses how much time their children will spend with each parent. Many courts increasingly encourage parents to try to split their time 50/50 or as close to it as possible. Some parents may assume the...

Once parents in Virginia have reached an agreement about child custody, they may still have many years of co-parenting ahead of them. They should make an effort to communicate effectively and encourage the child to build a relationship with the other parent. Communication does not mean they need to speak...

When people in Virginia decide to divorce, they may face a range of emotional, practical and financial effects and considerations. While dealing with property division can have long-term financial repercussions, many parents find reaching a solution to child custody questions one of the most emotionally draining parts of the divorce....

Virginia residents who have to co-parent with a difficult ex-spouse face significant challenges. A toxic ex-spouse may cause unnecessary problems via accusations, drama, bad-mouthing, and manipulation. It can be frustrating for the non-toxic ex-spouse because their primary desire is to parent their children in an acceptable way. Good parents understand...

As you move through the divorce process, you’ll have constant worries about the impact of your split on your relationship with your children. It’s impossible to know what the future will bring, but there are steps you can take to ease your stress. A parenting agreement makes post-divorce life easier...

In child custody cases in Virginia, as in any other state, the top priority is what is best for the children. However, according to research from George Washington University, claims of child sexual abuse are rarely substantiated when the mother makes the claim against the father. The study found that...