Child custody, visitation, child support, and all related family law topics often cause much confusion for parents going through divorce. If you are fighting to obtain custody of your children or you are working through a visitation schedule with your ex-spouse, you may have questions.
A Northern Virginia divorce attorney from our law offices is available to provide you with the answers you need. Continue reading to learn more about topics relating to child custody and visitation.
No, there is no presumption in favor of granting custody to the mother.
The court decides all matters of custody and visitation by considering the child’s “best interest.” In this case, the child’s best interest refers to a set of statutory factors that a court must consider, including:
The court will hear evidence supplied by the parties and may refer the case for a custody evaluation. At times, a psychologist, family therapist, counselor, or child development specialist may be employed to assist the parties in determining the child’s needs.
Protective orders, also referred to as restraining orders, can dramatically impact both a divorce and child custody action. An abused spouse may seek a civil and/or criminal protective order, which, among other things, may provide temporary child custody and support, and sole use of the marital residence.
The court may grant reasonable visitation or custody to grandparents if both birth parents agree. Grandparents seeking visitation must give notice to both parents. However, absent an agreement, grandparent visitation will not be ordered unless the failure to grant such custody or visitation of the birth parents.However, absent an agreement grandparent visitation will not be ordered unless the failure to grant such custody or visitation would be harmful to the child. This is an extremely high burden.
Legal custody is the right to make “legal decisions” on behalf of a child. Typically, these decisions are made in important areas such as medical care, education and religious training. Legal custody may be joint or sole. If parents have been awarded joint legal custody, major decisions must be shared unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
To learn more about your rights and to have all of your questions addressed, contact a Northern Virginia child custody attorney from ShounBach.
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