Divorce is a difficult time in a family’s life. There are moving parts that are difficult to navigate when heavy emotions are at play. Child custody is a contentious issue that can exasperate high feelings for many different reasons.Â
Legal custody in Virginia is defined as joint or sole custody where one parent has been granted responsibility over significant decisions involving the child’s care. Physical custody refers to which parent will take daily physical care of the child and where they reside. When determining childcare custody, the judge’s primary focus is on the children’s best interest. The judge or legal counsel considers countless factors when considering the custody decision, such as the parent’s wishes and ability to care for and provide healthy living conditions for their child.Â
If one parent is granted sole custody, that parent will have overriding authority without consulting with or informing the other parent regarding matters involving raising and caring for their child, including education, medical issues, social activities, and religious upbringing. Strong consideration should be given to what would benefit all parties involved when parenting time plans are created by understanding that each family is unique. A child custody lawyer in Hampton Roads can help you navigate through these difficult times.
Understanding and navigating the complexities of family law can be overwhelming. Finding a child custody attorney in Hampton Roads with extensive experience with child custody matters is crucial, as nearly every aspect of our lives and businesses involves legalities related to family life, especially during a divorce.Â
Our family law attorneys specialize in family law topics, including:
A child custody attorney in Hampton Roads will not only help you through the legal pathways of child custody but provide effective communication, help with providing resources, and provide support for families going through this challenging time in their lives.Â
Although not mandatory in Virginia, it is highly recommended to have a parenting plan in place. A parenting plan is a document for divorcing or separated parents to ensure that all parties are on the same page regarding their children. A parenting plan document provides clarity and structure for the day-to-day decisions about the child’s well-being and guidelines for face-to-face communication between parents.Â
The attorneys at Mahoney Richmond and Thurston PLLC can help provide compassionate, strategic suggestions for parenting plans that work for our clients and their families.Â
At Mahoney Richmond Thurston, PLLC, our experienced attorneys are highly skilled at helping families navigate the complexities of child custody matters. Our lawyers will provide you with a realistic overview of your situation, answer all your questions, and address any concerns that may arise as proceedings progress. We understand how emotionally charged these cases can be – especially when children are involved – and we are committed to providing compassionate and affordable representation.Â
Contact us today if you need consultation on your custody case or are ready to explore legal representation. Our attorneys provide quality care to our clients with open communication to help you through this challenging period.