Courts in Virginia determine child custody and visitation by reviewing many factors. The main factors that are considered are the roles of each parent in the child’s upbringing and the role that each parent or guidance will have in raising the child in the coming years. The mental condition and age of the child are additional factors that are reviewed by the judge and courts.
How do Virginia courts determine child custody and visitation?
When a court is determining child custody and visitation for a child as their two parents are divorcing or separating, the child’s best interests are the main priority. Additional factors that the court will weigh include the needs of the child, the age and physical condition of each parent, the relationship between the child and each parent, and the willingness of each parent to contribute to the child’s upbringing.
Factors that can hurt your child custody case include refusing to compromise with the other parent, losing your job, participating in illegal activity, withholding information and posting inappropriate content on social media accounts. A lawyer may be able to help you avoid these common pitfalls and work on strengthening your case.
Who can you contact for legal assistance?
If you’re seeking to obtain child custody as a parent or guardian, you can reach out to a family lawyer for assistance. He or she may review the details of the case and take the necessary steps to secure the best possible outcome. Your lawyer may help inform you of state law and explain what the judge is looking for in determining the visitation or custody rights of each parent.