Many judges prefer to order parents joint custody so that each child can get to know their parents by spending time with them.
Child custody issues are sensitive, heartbreaking and can harm all family members if not dealt with in accordance with the guidelines of Virginia family law. Consultation with child custody attorneys is advisable for divorcing couples to try to maintain stability for their children. The level of emotion associated with custody battles is tremendous and the resolution will impact the future relationship with children for each parent and cause disruption to children’s stability in relation to:
- Habitat),
- changes in everyday life,
- feelings of anxiety etc
- Situations where they will have different outcomes compared to the constants that a previous two-parent household may have provided.
Qualified child custody attorneys are an asset to addressing clients’ many daunting fears as they battle through child custody disputes.
Custody vs. Responsibility
Custody attorneys in Virginia explain state child custody laws to clients as they address the legal responsibilities of both parents to the children. The state of Virginia recognized legal and physical custody. Legal custody is a parent’s right to make decisions related to the well-being of a child, including those related to medical care, education and religion. Custody refers to the parent who provides a child with the primary residence. Virginia courts may award joint custody, sole custody, or a combination, depending on a couple’s requests and the best interests of the children.
Parental Responsibility
Parental responsibility has more to do with decisions that affect a child’s life and activities. Responsibility for these decisions can be shared equally despite physical custody of a child.
Custody Changes
Gavel and two bound books on wooden table; Image by Succo, via Pixabay.com.
Family law attorneys are instrumental in child custody changes when parents disagree about evolving child custody issues. Counsel may need to appear in court in Richmond, Virginia because the custody change is not legal unless ordered by the presiding judge.
Shared preferences for physical custody
Many judges prefer to order parents joint custody so that each child can get to know their parents by spending time with them. Joint custody means children have two dedicated and committed parents who have two homes set up for them versus one home with a place for the other parent to visit. This type of custody arrangement is not necessarily a half-time division between parents, but it tries to offer equal time. Parents must live nearby for this type of arrangement to work, allowing children to move back and forth between houses while maintaining their regular activities and engaging them in their communities. This type of arrangement may not work if tensions between parents remain high, leaving the children in volatile situations. Virginia child custody attorneys can guide parents to a workable solution in many cases.
relocation of parents
Parents who have formal custody arrangements for their children must notify the Virginia courts and the other parent of a proposed move within thirty days of a proposed move. You must indicate the intended change of address and a court may require that the notice addresses the concerns of both parties and is relevant to the custody circumstances specific to the case. The legal counsel may be able to determine if a move under the guise of negatively impacting children sets off red flags and guide the client’s actions to maintain positive custody in the interests of the child. A child custody law firm assists clients in their attempt to bring stability to a child’s life while recognizing the rights and responsibilities of both parents.
Sources:
http://www.courts.state.va.us/courtadmin/aoc/djs/programs/parented/home.html
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter6.1/section20-124.1/
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter6.1/section20-124.2/
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter6.1/section20-124.5/
Comments are closed.