A legal custody dispute with a co-parent is an incredibly challenging and emotional court case. In many cases, parents will present as competing against each other as opposed to presenting the actual factors that a judge must consider when deterring the best interest...
Child Custody
How sharing a caregiver can help co-parents and their children
When parents divorce, their need for a third-party caregiver for their children typically increases significantly. If the two of you are going to live near each other, it’s probably best for your child if you can agree to have the same caregiver. If you already depend...
What do you need to modify child custody orders?
Sometimes, child support orders issued by a judge may no longer serve the children's best interests. Circumstances may change, putting the safety and well-being of the children at risk. Fortunately, the law is alive to such unexpected changes, and court-issued child...
What happens when divorced parents disagree on immunizations?
Determining whether a child should receive immunizations or not is a decision that parents should agree upon. When they disagree about what needs to happen, it can quickly become contentious. A parent who’s still married to the child’s other parent can take the child...
Who gets to decide what schools the children attend?
The education that your children receive has a massive impact on their future opportunities. They will network with others who might help them get jobs later, and they will learn basic information and skills that will turn them into valuable employees. Parents often...
My ex wants to move out of state with our child: What do I do?
Relocation can be welcome after an acrimonious divorce. However, relocation, especially out of state, is never nearly as easy when you share children with your ex. If your ex is considering out-of-state relocation and they want to take your children with them, you...
What is the most common child custody arrangement in Virginia?
Every family in Virginia going through a custody dispute has unique needs that a judge must address when creating a custody order. Judges should factor in a parent's existing relationship with the children, the preferences of older children and even the willingness of...
Negotiating summer vacation custody schedules with your ex
If you have recently divorced, you might find the custody agreement you put in place does not work as well as usual over the vacations. While you cannot just ignore your custody agreement entirely, you can negotiate minor changes to it with your spouse, without...
Advice for telling your children about divorce
It can be difficult to sit down with your children and have a conversation about divorce. You know that it’s going to be hard for them, even if you and your spouse both agree that divorce is what you want and that it’s going to be better in the long run. To help you...
Can custody rules determine when the kids can meet your new partners?
You are glad you divorced your children’s other parent. So much so that you are ready to take a flying leap into the dating pool. You may even hit the jackpot and meet that perfect companion on your first foray into online dating. In fact, even though it has only been...