Going through a divorce is hard. When children are involved, a divorce can be especially difficult. In matters of child custody, courts are generally hesitant to remove a parent from a child’s life. Unless there is evidence of abuse, courts encourage parents who are divorcing to work together to come up with a parenting plan that is best for their children. If you live in Virginia and need help coming to a child custody agreement during your divorce, you may want to speak to a lawyer who practices family law in Spotsylvania VA. A family law lawyer can guide you through the legalities of child custody and help you come to an agreement with your soon-to-be ex-partner in regards to your children. Following are three important factors that help courts in Virginia determine child custody.
Above all, courts in Virginia take into account what is best for a child when determining child custody. This can include the relationship and bonding of the child to one or both of the parents, the extent to which each parent has been a stable and constructive part of the child’s life up to that point, and each parent’s capabilities at meeting the overall needs of the child. A lawyer who practices family law in Spotsylvania VA may be able to help you gain custody of your children or come to an agreement that works toward giving your children the best chance at having a healthy family life after the divorce.
Another important factor taken into consideration when determining custody in Virginia courts is the willingness of a parent to provide opportunities for their child to have contact with the child’s other parent. If one parent does not cooperate in allowing a child to spend time with the other parent or is unwilling to facilitate the child’s relationship with the other parent, unless there is a good reason, a Virginia court does not look kindly on this behavior when determining child custody. A lawyer who practices family law in Spotsylvania VA will most likely tell you that courts favor child custody arrangements that foster healthy relationships between a child and both of his or her parents.
Virginia courts consider domestic and sexual abuse to be reasons to withhold custody from a parent. If your children are the victims of domestic or sexual abuse or violence, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer who practices family law in Spotsylvania VA to represent you in your divorce proceedings. Domestic and sexual abuse is very serious, and often abusers will do anything they can to retain control of their victims, including their children. Having a lawyer to represent your children’s interest can help provide protection for them from their abusive parent.
