Best Child Custody Lawyers in Fredericksburg, VA

A: Yes, the Circuit Court in a divorce proceeding can apportion debts to the extent that they were incurred prior to the final separation of the parties.

A: Legal custody determines which parent (or non-parent, as the case may be) has the authority to make decisions that affect the child. If a parent has sole legal custody, he or she makes those decisions. Joint legal custody is an arrangement where both parents have decision-making authority, and this presupposes that the parents can communicate and cooperate effectively enough to make decisions together.

A: The courts are required to consider a number of factors under the statute, which is Section 20-124.3 of the Code. The age and health of the child, the age and health of each parent, the relationship existing between each parent and each child, and the role that each parent has played in the upbringing of the child are just some examples of the factors. In any custody case it is vitally important for the attorney to review with you the statutory factors and to discuss the facts of your case as they apply to the statute.

A: Yes. Even if you have a custody order that grants you legal and/or physical custody, an out-of-state change of residence is something you typically would need to seek leave of court to do.

A: The court has the authority to modify custody and visitation orders if one or both parents are able to demonstrate 1) that a material change of circumstances has occurred since the entry of the last court order; and 2) that modification of the custody/visitation order is in the best interests of the child.