Custody involves both the physical presence of a child and authority over the child. They are not the same thing and can be awarded differently by the courts. Filing for custody in Virginia brings numerous hurdles. Understanding these challenges with the help of a knowledgeable Chesapeake child custody attorney will make an already tricky process less frustrating.
In the past, courts were much more likely to award mothers custody over fathers. It did not matter what was in the child’s best interest. Thankfully, today, fathers are just as likely to receive custody of their children as mothers are. Whenever possible, the courts prefer each parent to receive equal time with their child. Judges also would rather parents reach their own custody arrangements, called a parenting plan before the court gets involved. A seasoned Chesapeake child custody lawyer can help you negotiate with your child’s other parent to come up with a plan that works for everyone.
Courts examine and consider many factors when making child custody decisions. Without doing so, they are unlikely to ensure that the custody arrangements are in the best interests of the child. Factors the judge considers include the:
With so many factors at play, you want to be sure that you are doing everything you can to negotiate a parenting plan in your favor. A Chesapeake child custody attorney is your best advocate when it comes to doing so.Â
Whatever custody challenges you may face, it is always worthwhile to seek the guidance of an experienced lawyer, especially after the initial filing phase, if you have not done so already. No matter how contentious your child custody dispute is, do not involve your children in the middle of your dispute. Avoid speaking poorly about the other parent to your children. When it comes to custody litigation, you always want to put your best foot forward. The attorneys at Mahoney Richmond Thurston, PLLC, can help you with every aspect of your child custody case. Do not delay in reaching out. Contact our office to schedule your child custody case review today.Â