Paternity has not yet been established but if he is found to be the father, he has also filed for custody and visitation. He has stated that he would like to do mediation. I would like to do mediation but outside of court with the other parent and a lawyer. Would a GAL be appointed in this... Read more »
answered on Mar 5, 2023
In a legal proceeding involving custody and/or visitation, a guardian ad litem can be appointed by the court to represent the interests of the child in the event that the parents do not adequately represent the interests of the child. This almost always occurs when there are allegations of abuse... Read more »
My 15 year old no longer wants to visit every other week related to various changes at the home and her feeling like she’s never heard. What’s my best next move?
Can a show cause be enforced against me since there is no concrete schedule in place?
answered on Feb 6, 2023
That reads just like the kind of agreement reached in mediation - it is vague enough that both parties can interpret it to their own satisfaction. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to enforce it. Far better is to have a fixed schedule from which the parties can deviate if they so... Read more »
I have sole custody and her father has a visitation order. She is 14 and we live in the state of Virginia.
answered on Nov 22, 2022
Unjustifiably withholding visitation can result in a change of primary physical custody of a child. A custodial parent must do everything within his or her power and authority to allow visitation to occur, absent some credible evidence of family abuse which would justify a modification of a... Read more »
I am thier grandmother and have had custody for nearly 9 years. They have been through a lot mentally and emotionally . Thier mother has seen them once in like 7 years and has not kept contact. The kids are now 11 yrs old and 13 years old. Neither of the kids wants anything to do with her and I do... Read more »
answered on Oct 19, 2022
There is no specific age at which a child can express a custody or visitation preference. The Code of Virginia allows such a reasonable preference if the child is of "reasonable intelligence, understanding, age, and experience to express such a preference." When allowed to express a... Read more »
I am a paternal great grandmother with custody of my great grandson who has lived with me since birth and will be 14 this October and has never lived with his mother who has petitioned to amend custody and my grandson, the father is currently incarcerated and has been provided a GAL. Neither... Read more »
answered on Sep 2, 2022
In Virginia, a motion to modify or amend must reference the existing order and recite its relevant provisions. If a third party has custody or visitation, that person is a necessary party to the proceeding, and must be served with notice. In order to prevail, a person seeking to modify an... Read more »
But at the same time we are legally married in the us
answered on Aug 11, 2022
The U.S. Constitution requires each of the 50 states to give full faith and credit to the valid acts of its sister states. There is no such requirement for the actions of other countries, in the absence of a treaty. Instead, the concept of comity controls. Comity allows a state to recognize the... Read more »
Custody papers only say we must discuss important decisions but does not specify what constitutes important and what happens when we don't agree.
answered on May 4, 2022
A decision to allow a child to get a learner's permit involves legal custody. For true joint legal custody, there would be a greater burden than simply imposing an obligation to discuss decisions: the parties would have to agree on legal decisions concerning the child. Sometimes, judges... Read more »
I'm in Northern VA, it's been a challenge to find someone who can competently evaluate parental alienation.
answered on Apr 11, 2022
That is called a custody evaluation. Child psychologists who offer those usually advertise themselves as custody evaluators and expert witnesses. In the Richmond area, there a few who do most of them. When I have called some that are not available, they will usually recommend others who might be... Read more »
Our original order went into effect June 2020, and advised drop offs and pick ups are to occur at my parents place. My amendment requests a new location, among 12 other changes. The Guardian Ad Litem suggested a location, and now my ex-husband files paperwork every time I do not do exchanges at the... Read more »
answered on Jan 10, 2022
This type of confusion happens frequently after a hearing. Did you have an attorney? If so, please ask the attorney who has been representing you for clarity. Often someone has asked the judge when the order takes effect. If no date is specified, the usual default is that once a judge has made... Read more »
In the midst of divorce/custody case. Mother elected to not put children on her employer provided health insurance and instead has them on Medicaid. I am now receiving benefits through my employer and as of 01/01/2022 have enrolled myself and two children in this health care plan. Can mother refuse... Read more »
answered on Jan 4, 2022
Generally speaking, a court will prefer that a child has high-quality insurance if the parents can afford it. For that reason, health insurance premium payments for children are taken into consideration when calculating child support.
You don't mention whether there is a court order... Read more »
This a a woman who stalked me and my child for years and made threats against me. My ex husband was abusive and has a history of domestic violence. He has been arrested for DMV. He will use this woman and other circumstances to put my son in danger. The woman tried to run my child and me off the... Read more »
answered on Dec 14, 2021
Generally speaking, you may be able to get a protective order for stalking, but the protective order would have to include your child to prevent her from being present during visitation.
If you don't have enough evidence for a protective order, you may be able to get an order that... Read more »
I cut off all contact with my toxic and mentally ill parents several years ago, but they have continued to stalk me. I am concerned about them possibly suing for visitation once they find out they have a grandchild.
What are the chances that the family court would force me to allow them to... Read more »
answered on Dec 13, 2021
In Virginia, grandparents have no custody and visitation rights by virtue of the familial relationship. Grandparents are among the class of interested persons who can ask for a custody or visitation determination, but will not obtain any rights against the wishes of a biological parent who has not... Read more »
The petitioner alerted the court that I had sent her text messages. This was a violation of a no-contact protective order AND a no contact condition of a sentence that included 12 months of suspended time. However, she also sent text messages and engaged in several lengthy text conversations with... Read more »
answered on Nov 20, 2021
Sounds like you're definitely in violation. Hire a lawyer to help minimize what they do.
Test. I have schedule an appointment to file for custody on October 7th. There is no custody agreement between is at this point.
answered on Oct 1, 2021
In the absence of a court order or written agreement, both parents have equal rights to, and responsibilities for, their minor children. You question does not address how CPS became involved with your husband's girlfriend, why she was subject to testing, what drugs were involved, where the... Read more »
Ex filed registration in VA and immediately turned into modification of custody and JD&R proceeded without proper jurisdiction. Is that possible?
answered on Sep 24, 2021
A party to a court order may domesticate or register that order in Virginia if the Virginia court can exercise jurisdiction under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act. Notice of the proposed domestication or registration is served on the other party so he or she could contest... Read more »
I'm 18 years old and live in Virginia. I want to move in with my aunt but my Dad says I can't and that he can still control what I do and where I live, is this true? Can he really still control my life? Will I have to take him to court?
As a Single Mother of 4 children who all have lifetime disabilities including myself. Lets start with Myself. I was finally approved from the SSA with having a diagnosis of OCD, Bi Polar II disorder, PTSD, Depression, Social Anxiety, Other mood disorders, Autism spectrum disorder and Schizophrenia.... Read more »
answered on Jun 7, 2021
A Virginia attorney could respond best, but your post remains open for two weeks. You provided lots of detailed information. In reading your post, it looks like the central issue is eligibility of your son for a Special Education program... and a misdiagnosis was involved. If that is correct, one... Read more »
My new wife has been around the kids since 2018. Until recently my ex included her in everything and authorized her to full access. We were all friendly happy coparents until marriage- now my ex is hiring a lawyer to keep my wife away from the kids who LOVE her.
answered on Apr 8, 2021
I understand your question to be whether you can authorize your new wife to access your children's information on your behalf. You can certainly add your wife as another person who can receive information or contact the school or doctor's office, for example, but the children's... Read more »
The paperwork states, “Neither party shall expose the child to a paramour on an overnight basis..” Overnight is defined as of 8pm-8am. Would violating this order, with the support of evidence/proof be grounds to overturn a existing custody agreement?
answered on Mar 25, 2021
If someone is violating a court order, the remedy is to file a "motion for a rule to show cause" - basically, a request for the other side to be held in contempt of court. Some violations may give rise to grounds to amend a custody order. Consult with a family law attorney in your area... Read more »
On 1/25/2021, the court ruled on joint custody and child support. The mother found out I am in a new relationship and now refuses to adhere to the legal agreement and is demanding I bring her everything in my home I bought our kids. She never fully complied with the order; I do not know where she... Read more »
answered on Mar 25, 2021
It's a good theory but ultimately not allowed - support and visitation are two separate issues in the eyes of the court. Support should still be paid as ordered, and a show-cause may be appropriate for the violation of the visitation order. Speak with a local family law attorney about how to... Read more »
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