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Virginia Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: I now resides in virginia with my 14yr old Her father is in New York I would like full costidy where do I file

I receive child support and makes all decision for our child.father is not on the picture at all

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Jul 3, 2017

If there is no existing custody order, you file in the child's "home state." The home state is where the child has lived for the past 6 months.

If there is an existing custody order, return to that court. If a person subject to that existing order still resides in the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: Hello! I have joint custody of my son with his father which lives in MD, Read below... What should I do next???

My 11yr old son was beaten by his father that claims it was a spanking! My son called me and told me of everything that took place, I also have pictures of my son injuries. Charles Cty State Attorney charge him with four abuse and assult charges, I have letters and video of my son crying and having... View More

Michael Jeremiah Seck
Michael Jeremiah Seck
answered on Jun 15, 2017

The corporal punishment issues will arise in Virginia and Maryland. However, you can always file for a modification of custody in Virginia provided certain elements are met. You should contact an experienced family law attorney to help you though these complex matters. Please feel free to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Child Support for Virginia on
Q: My god son's mother and I want joint custody of our son but his dad won't give us his address so he can be notified

His father had never been in his life , he refuses to take a DNA test. We can't move on without his information. What should we do

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on Jun 15, 2017

He can be served by a private process server, or he could be served by publication in a newspaper if the situation is appropriate for that. Talk to a local family law attorney for specific suggestions based on the full facts of your case.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: When the other parent is granted temp custody, do they still have to pay support until the final hearing?
Michael Jeremiah Seck
Michael Jeremiah Seck
answered on Jun 13, 2017

The Court can make a temporary award of child support in addition to the temporary custody ruling. Absent there being a court order requiring the payment of temporary child support there is no obligation to pay support. You would only have to pay support if the court has ordered a support amount.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: My sister is getting ready to have a baby in a month and she wants to sign full custody over to me how easy is that

Both parents are willing to do it

Michael Jeremiah Seck
Michael Jeremiah Seck
answered on Jun 12, 2017

With both parents agreeable to you having custody of the child you have several options. Adoption, an agreed custody order or guardianship are just a couple of the options available to you. Each of these options have advantages and disadvantages.

Contact an experienced Virginia Family...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law, Child Custody and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Can a court from Different state subpoena me to provide copies of my lease agreement. I'm in VA, court is in OK?

My tenant in my rental home is going through a child custody battle. She lives in my rental property in SC. I live in Virginia and I received a Subpoena for a copy of our lease agreement from a lawyer/court in Oklahoma. I thought you could only subpoena court records within the same state/county? I... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Jun 9, 2017

Just confirming: The Subpoena is issued by the Oklahoma court and not from a Virginia court based on an Oklahoma request? Look closely at the caption: Are any of the captions from a Virginia court? If not, Oklahoma has no jurisdiction in Virginia, so compliance with the Oklahoma subpoena cannot be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: my ex-has everyother weekend and for the summer he gets 2 16 day vacation does that mean he still gets everyother weeken
Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on Jun 2, 2017

Can't say without seeing the court order. Often it will contain language that says "summer visitation supersedes regular visitation" or "in addition to regular visitation, dad shall have 2 weeks in the summer." You may want to talk to a local family law attorney if it is unclear.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: Is there a law for Virginia that dictates which parent has to do the driving to meet for visitation with joint custody?

I am the father and have joint custody with liberal visitation.

We have been doing the same schedule for over 4 years.

Her reason for wanting me to drive all the distance is for personal convenience, nothing to do with the well being of the child.

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on Jun 2, 2017

There is no default rule for who provides transportation. Absent a requirement in a custody/visitation order, this is something that would have to be decided between the parties.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: Is there a law for Virginia that dictates which parent has to do the driving to meet for visitation with joint custody?

We get overnight Tuesday, Wednesday til 7:30pm and every other weekend.

We have been doing the same set schedule for 4 years of meeting halfway.

The mother is only wanting to make the change for convenience (has nothing to do with the well being of the child)

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on May 31, 2017

I think your question is one for a divorce attorney to answer. It is not a generally a civil litigation question.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Virginia on
Q: I am a non-parent whom was granted temporary custody of an infant do I have a fighting chance to gain permanent custody

The birth mom was gonna abort and she used drugs and didn't get any prenatal care for baby and then she was putting child up for adoption because she was too far along and then decided on family adoption. Do I have any chances of being able to keep the child permanently and now the grandmother... View More

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on May 18, 2017

This is not a question that can be answered with a simple reply on the internet. There is a lot going on with this case, and you need to speak to a local family law attorney to plan your case accordingly. There are many instances where a relative or non-relative can obtain custody of a child, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: If i just established paternity and the father wants joint custody but isn't on the birth c will he get it?

he isn't on her birth certificate and he has not been in her life at all and said he wasn't going to be if things doesn't go his way

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on May 8, 2017

Sure, he can obtain joint legal custody. He can also obtain joint physical custody if the parents live together. If paternity is established and there is no custody order, he has joint legal custody as a matter of fact. Talk to a local family law attorney for more information pertaining to the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Virginia on
Q: Can my sons girlfriend stop him from seeing their daughter? She won't tell him who has her when she is at work?

And lets her new boyfriend take care of the baby when she is working.

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on May 4, 2017

It depends on what the current custody/visitation order says. If there is not an order, it sounds like one of the parties should consider filing a petition to have the court set the parameters for how and when visitation should occur, as well as who else can be involved in childcare. Help your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: Do step parents have the right to keep a child during visitation while the biological parent is at work?

In this case the father is working 80-90% of the visitation hours and as the mother, I'd like the right to keep my child since I am available to do so.

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on May 2, 2017

The father has the right to make arrangements for childcare during his parenting time UNLESS the custody/visitation order provides for a "right of first refusal" to allow the non-visiting parent to take the child back in the event the visiting parent is unavailable. Consider talking to a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: If a guardian ad litem is involved during a custody case and the parents come to agreement is the case still active?

We have come to an agreement and the judge already signed off on the order stating so.

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on May 2, 2017

If the judge signed a final custody/visitation order, then the GAL's appointment has likely ended (unless the judge extended the GAL's appointment in the final order). If necessary, the GAL may have some post-trial motion to make, but that is rare if the parents have come to an agreement... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: Can I see record of me being placed into custody as a child with my grandparents due to child abuse when i lived in Va?
Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on May 2, 2017

It may take some leg work, but you could start by finding out what local court placed custody with your grandparents. Then you would have to request your own records from that court, and you may have to do so in person because of the confidentiality requirements of those type of proceedings.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: My daughter is using drugs and the babies father is no where to be found how do I get custody of my grandchild?

My daughter has been in jail several times and is using drugs again the baby's father is no where to be found how do I go about getting custody?

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on May 2, 2017

You can file a petition for custody in an appropriate jurisdiction, and you may be able to request an expedited hearing due to the dangers involved for the child. Consider speaking to a family law attorney soon about the specifics of your situation.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: My 16yr old daughter wants to change her last name to her step father's name. Her father refuses to let her.

When she was 13 she started refusing to see him because she didn't like how he treated her. He never tried to see her or fix the relationship. He's in Maine we moved to VA almost 3yrs ago. He came to VA last yr for a week saw her for 2 hrs then refused to come see her again it broke her... View More

Steve Miyares
Steve Miyares
answered on Apr 18, 2017

Once your daughter turns 18 she is legally competent to change her name and will not need any parental approval to do so. Once she reaches her 18th birthday then she can retain an attorney to have her name legally changed regardless of what her biological father says.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: Virginia. I got a summons from the court to to appear fir a child custody hearing.

My mother wants to get custody of my 3 kids ages 2-10 and im willing to give up my rights to them . And there fathers in not on the birth certificate i just want to know what to expect in court . And how many courts will therr need to be for all of it

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on Apr 6, 2017

Just because the father is not on the birth certificate does not mean he is not the father. He is a necessary party to the proceedings and will likely be required to have notice. The number of hearings depends on the complexity of finding him and his willingness to cooperate. Your mother should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: What will happen in court if my mother is trying to get custody of my kids and i am willing to give them to her?

I moved out a year ago n left my kids with her . I just want to know what will happen in court . Will i just need to sign n it be done?

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on Mar 29, 2017

If the parties are in agreement, it is more likely that the court will agree. However, you don't mention if the other parent agrees to the custody placement. That person has to be noticed and served with paperwork about the hearing, and their position could change the outcome.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Virginia on
Q: spouse is moving to wv from va with our 2 kids there is no custody agreement in place yet hadn't went to court. can she

go if i haventagreed

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on Mar 22, 2017

If the kids have lived in Virginia for more than 6 months, then Virginia is probably considered their "home state," and you could file an action in the appropriate Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court to either prevent the move or require the children be returned to Virginia. Talk to... View More

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