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Virginia Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: I currently rent a house with my boyfriend, things are not working out and we are now on a month to month lease.

The landlord is on my side, but how do I legally get him to move out, since he won’t leave on his own. We also have an almost 2 yr old daughter and I want to have full custody of her. He is a convicted felon x2 and on probation.

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on May 16, 2020

I regret that I do not handle domestic relations or child custody matters. Sorry. If you and the faster of the child are both on the lease, the landlord will have to proceed in Court to ask the Court enter an order for possession against him. You need to work with the landlord on that issue. It... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Virginia on
Q: Was there a separate child support calculation worksheet for sole custody vs. joint custody in Virginia in 2008?
Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on May 8, 2020

The different worksheets would have been (i) sole/joint and (ii) shared. There could also be split where some children reside with one parent, and the rest with the other parent.

If both parents have custody more than 90 days, then the shared worksheet is used.

Otherwise, use the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: Can my girlfriend move down here with her unborn child if the father does not want anything too do with the child
Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Apr 27, 2020

Your girlfriend can move wherever she wants. The courts only have authority to decide where children live.

If the child is unborn, there is no custody order possible.

If custody does become an issue, then the UCCJEA will dictate that the court in the jurisdiction where the child has...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Divorce for Virginia on
Q: Should I file for divorce/child support in MD or VA? Which state is best for my child? I live in VA, he is in MD.

It’s almost been 1 year and I was ready to file in VA but I’m reading MD is better for child support. Is this correct?

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Apr 24, 2020

Your choice of court is not determined by gained benefit but rather jurisdiction.

If you live in Va for six months, you can file for divorce only, i.e., terminate the marriage, but nothing more.

If you want to do property, financial, money matters, etc., you need personal...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: Can I get a local lawyer for an out of state custody/placement hearing?

I live in the VA/DC area and my children live in Wisconsin. The divorce hearing was in Wisconsin over 2 years ago and I feel that gaining placement and custody would be in the best interest of my 3 children due to the custodial parent denying my placement 3 times now. She has also been feeding my... View More

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Apr 16, 2020

You could retain a local lawyer to represent you in Wisconsin. However, that lawyer would either have to be also barred/licensed in Wisconsin, or be admitted pro hac vice, i.e., sponsored by a Wisconsin lawyer for temporary practice in Wisconsin.

Also, keep in mind that it will be expensive...
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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Family Law and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: A friend of mine just passed away and in her will she stated that she wanted me to take guardianship of her son.

A friend of mine just passed away and in her will she stated that she wanted me to take guardianship of her son. His dad passed away 2 months after he was born. I was wondering if her sons grandparents can fight for custody or if a judge will honor the will

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Mar 26, 2020

At the end of the day, the court decides matters on the best interests of the child. The will would guide the court, but not determine the outcome.

The grandparents could contest the provision and seek custody. A judge would then decide between you and the grandparents.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Virginia on
Q: My daughter recently turned 18 and moved in with me. What do I need to do to stop paying child support payments?

My daughter just turned 18 and recently moved out of her mothers house and asked to live with me. Am i still obligated to pay child support to her mother? If so, what do I need to do to modify support arrangements?

James D. Williams
James D. Williams
answered on Mar 16, 2020

Your child support order from the court should indicate the cut-off time frame for when you can stop paying child support. If the support order says that you pay until she turns 18, then the obligation has ended. If you find the child support order, and it does not have a limit to your daughter... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: What steps do I need to take to change my daughter’s last name to my husbands?

Child’s father lives in another state. Has two other kids he flaunts and takes care of but does not do anything for our daughter even when we were living in the same city. His name is not on her birth certificate. Husband has been taking care of my daughter for almost her whole life.

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Dec 18, 2019

Va. Code § 8.01-217. How name of person may be changed.

A. Any person desiring to change his own name, or that of his child or ward, may apply therefor to the circuit court of the county or city in which the person whose name is to be changed resides, or if no place of abode exists, such...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: If a custody order was only notarized do I still have custody
Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Dec 5, 2019

An order would only need to be signed by a judge, and they are not typically notarized.

Agreements between parents are usually notarized, though they need not be as long as it is a signed writing, and enforceable as provided in the agreement.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: Can father get emergency custody?

Can father get emergency custody after mother has had child for 13years and been to court twice and remains custodial parent

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Oct 30, 2019

The court views "emergency" as a life or death situation, not someone not wanting to wait their turn.

File a petition to modify custody, and file an emergency motion. The court clerk and/or judge will review them to see if an emergency exists. If so, the court will docket a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Civil Rights and Juvenile Law for Virginia on
Q: How do you change venue?

Custody juvenile court?

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Oct 30, 2019

Are you changing venue as in moving from one county in Va. to another county? Or, are you changing to a new state?

If moving county to county, then Va. Code § 16.1-243(B) applies. "2. Custody and visitation: In custody and visitation cases, if venue lies in one of several cities or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Divorce for Virginia on
Q: If the mother has primary custody of her children & the father secondary custody in the state of Virginia does the

Father have to pay child support

James H. Wilson Jr.
PREMIUM
James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Sep 23, 2019

It depends. The calculations must be run for each situation.

When each parent has at least 90 days custody of a child in Virginia, the shared custody and sole custody child support worksheet calculations are used, with the lesser amount being the presumptively correct amount of child...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: What should I do if mother of my child is keeping from me and won’t give me her current address

What should I do if mother of my child is keeping from me and won’t give me her current address I can’t file for custody or do any other paperwork without her address I’m scared she is gonna move far she is already keeping my child from seeing me

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Sep 16, 2019

Every custody order in Virginia has a change of address provision.

Va. Code § 20-124.5. Notification of relocation.

In any proceeding involving custody or visitation, the court shall include as a condition of any custody or visitation order a requirement that thirty days'...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Personal Injury, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Virginia on
Q: What can I do cps lied

They went into foster care for 5 days were physically abused . They have been taken from the only family that they have ever known .they are traumatized this is all bcuz i am a convicted felon of 15 years ago there is so much to this. I can peove ur all i need help to get them back home where... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Jun 12, 2019

I regret that I do not handle family law matters, child abuse law matters or domestic relations law matters. Sorry.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Virginia on
Q: My child has graduated high school at the age of 17. Is child support still required when mother has sole custoduy?

Mother requested sole custody of our 17 year old daughter and I reluctantly agreed.

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Jun 3, 2019

Yes. Child support is payable until age 18 years.

"The court shall also order that support will continue to be paid for any child over the age of 18 who is (i) a full-time high school student, (ii) not self-supporting, and (iii) living in the home of the party seeking or receiving...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: How can I prevent my child's father from claiming her on federal tax return ?

My daughter lives with me she only sees her dad on his days off from work however he's claimed her on taxes the last 4 years. He refuses to let me claim her. He doesnt give me any of the money for her expenses. How can I keep him from being able to claim her!!

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on May 21, 2019

The IRS does not allow both parents to claim an exemption for the same child. Your child custody agreement should tell both of you who is entitled to claim your daughter; some parents rotate each year; others allow one or the other to claim the child. If you have some written proof that you earned... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Virginia on
Q: Question about Child support /Custody

My daughters father claims he keeps our daughter 75% of the time however I feel like he doesnt. He keeps her on his days off which is 2 days out of the week and every other weekend. When he gets vacation he get close to a month off and he will keep her but that's it. Here recently the past 6-7... View More

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on May 20, 2019

Va. Code § 20-108.2(G)(3) "(c) Definition of a day. For the purposes of this section, "day" means a period of 24 hours; however, where the parent who has the fewer number of overnight periods during the year has an overnight period with a child, but has physical custody of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Criminal Law, Domestic Violence and Family Law for Virginia on
Q: My child father attacked me in front of our child. His 2nd domestic violence charge. Will he get custody/visitation?

I have sole physical & legal custody, visitation reserved to father, at mother’s discretion, since 2017. My child father attacked me when he dropped her off to my home, after having her for the weekend. DV has been an ongoing issue for years, and my daughter show signs to be traumatized. So I... View More

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Mar 9, 2019

I have moved your question to family law because that is the area of law you have a question about. Domestic violence and criminal law is for those charged with offenses in those areas and requiring answers related to such.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: I pay child support for my daughter that’s 5 but I have not seen her in 5 years. What can I do?

Her mother kept her from me and I still try to pay my child support. She moved out of state and I don’t know what to do. I want to see my daughter and get to know her. I’ve called her mother phone but after she figure out it’s me calling she hang up and don’t answer again. She’s married... View More

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Feb 20, 2019

Child support is an entirely separate matter from custody/visitation. Neither is dependent on the other.

File a petition for custody/visitation in the local court where your daughter resides.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: In va if my child is over 18 and decides to go to college am I still required to pay child support?

In va, if the child is over 18, and I have arrears that was with the child support. Once the child support is corrected because he is over 18 can the arrears be reduced weekly to a more realistic amount, I have had some changes since my last modification, I am now married, my wife has had 3... View More

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Feb 14, 2019

Va. Code § 20-124.2, "C. The court may order that support be paid for any child of the parties. Upon request of either party, the court may order that such support payments be made to a special needs trust or an ABLE savings trust account as defined in § 23.1-700. The court shall also order... View More

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