Child Custody Attorneys Chesapeake
Child custody concerns are often a primary focus of divorce, but that is not where the matter ends. Child custody matters often arise in relation to post-divorce modifications and to breakups that involve children born outside of marriage. Whatever your situation is, if you have a concern that is related to child custody, you should not wait to speak with an experienced child custody attorney in Chesapeake about your case.Â
Child Custody in Virginia
In a Virginia divorce, your child custody arrangements are categorized as both legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody sets the stage for who will be making the important decisions that directly affect your children’s lives moving forward. Physical custody, on the other hand, determines the schedule by which you and your children’s other parent will be dividing your time with your shared children. Both are important elements of child custody, and both affect your rights as a parent.Â
Legal Custody
Legal custody designates who has the responsibility and the right to make primary decisions that relate to all the following on behalf of your children:
- The education they receive
- The medical care they receive
- The extracurriculars and travel they participate in
- The religious education they receive
Legal custody does not extend to the everyday questions that parents everywhere must make throughout the course of a day, which remain the responsibility of the parent who is with the children at the time. Similarly, in emergency situations, the parent who is available to make critical decisions must do so.Â
Physical Custody
Physical custody is what most people think of in relation to child custody, and it sets the schedule by which you and your ex will split your time with your children. If you are able to negotiate a schedule between yourselves that works for both of you, you can expect the court to sign off on it, but if not, the court is likely to issue one of its standard parenting time schedules. While you may hammer out a schedule that is utterly unique to your family situation, it will fall into one of the following categories:
- One of you is the primary custodial parent, and the other has a visitation schedule.Â
- You and your children’s other parent divide your time with the children somewhat evenly. Â
The Court’s Best Interest Factors
The court always makes child custody decisions in accordance with the best interests of the involved children, and factors like the following are taken into consideration in the process:
- Each child’s age, physical health, mental health, and developmental needs (including any special needs)
- Each parent’s age, overall health, and parenting ability
- The nature of the relationship between each parent and each child
- The role each parent has played in each child’s upbringing to dateÂ
Look to an Experienced Child Custody Attorney in Chesapeake for the Legal Guidance You Need
The accomplished child custody attorneys at Mahoney Richmond Thurston PLLC, in Chesapeake, Virginia, understand the serious nature of your child custody concern and are well prepared to help. For more information, contact us today.
What Our Clients Are Saying
5 Stars!
I worked with Nicole Thurston, Joy, and Nancy and they were all amazing to work with. They went above and beyond to help me fight in my custody battle and my son is now doing excellent. They cared about the outcome of our case showed how much they cared. He has straight A's, on the Principal's list, and getting college offers and letters from congressmen to congratulate him for his success. We would not have gotten this far it was not for this legal team fighting day and night to give us the best possible outcome. Thank you all for everything you have done for our family. Sincerely, Tamara
Nicole handled my divorce, she was professional and detailed. If I had a question it was usually answered the same day. In court, she was very professional, had all details, and was fully ready to represent me. I could not have asked for a better attorney to represent me!
I am very impressed with Andy's capabilities - he is a talented young lawyer.
Reeves is a fine lawyer, with a great sense of humor.
Mr. Richmond deals with his clients compassionately and with legal precision. You can have confidence that he is looking out for you and trust his judgment and advice. Take his advice seriously. Mr. Richmond does a good job communicating with his clients, keeping them informed along the way.
Andrew Richmond is a great lawyer and extremely smart.
I did my research on divorce and family law attorneys before contacting anyone. A trusted friend had used Nicole and her team's services previously and highly recommended her. Entering the MNR Law offices I met their receptionist. Her smile both lightened the mood and removed some of the stress from the streets. I found the conference room to be well lit, supplies readily available, and the conduct of the staff I encountered to be well above everyday professional courtesy. Nicole was the first attorney I met with and after our initial meeting, discussing options, criteria, contractual obligations, and services that would be contracted for, I confidently chose her to be my legal counsel. The contracts were explained in detail and reviewed prior to initiating our financial transactions, and I feel I received more than what I contracted for. I paid for professional services; what I got included personalized service, the respect, and distinction of being an individual. My concerns were thoroughly vetted and understood from a personal level and translated to what I wanted and needed on a professional legal level. The team prepared the battlefield and for potential contingencies, ready to execute, ready to win. We faced the opposition…
5 stars!
I recommend them completely!
Very pleased with their professionalism and seriousness with my case.
Listen, I did the circuit of family lawyers in Virginia Beach and Andy is, hands down, the most honest, capable, genuine, and reliable lawyer around.
Reeves Mahoney did an outstanding job as my attorney during a recent contested custody battle. Knowledgeable, honest, and direct, I appreciated Reeves’ sage counsel during an incredibly difficult and anxious time. Reeves and his team provided excellent guidance and successfully navigated me through the heretofore unfamiliar minefield of family law. Reeves is one of the finest, if not the finest family law attorneys in Hampton Roads and enjoys a stellar reputation in the family law system.
Nicole was amazing to work with for my son's adoption finalization. She was extremely personable, always responded quickly to any questions, calls, or emails, and extremely nice! She made the final stages of our adoption journey amazing!
I am very thankful for all of your services. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this without you all. Your help was priceless.
I will never regret seeking (Reeves Mahoney’s) counsel … You’ve given me a lot of great advice and insight and that I’ll never regret any penny that I paid to gain that. … I just wanted to let you know that you provided a great service to me today and I will be eternally grateful.
Nicole knew exactly how to handle to my situation, doing so rapidly; conformed to my wishes, no drama. Amazing advocate: excellent skills explaining complex legalese in everyday terms. Great sense of humor: explains difficult topics; diffuses stressful situations. Guide & confidant. Earned my trust & maintained it throughout. Quality of service was outstanding! Value is phenomenal Follows up on questions & requirements, often same day, with quality details in clear & concise communications
Andy and his paralegal, Nancy, are wonderful. I had an entire custody reversal made, which I have come to understand is a rarity. Andy is clearly knowledgeable about family law and well respected by the court.
Andrew T. Richmond 
Reeves W. Mahoney
Nicole M. Thurston
Jessica N. TrotmanVirginia Beach Location
Phone
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