HOW DO THE COURTS DETERMINE CHILD CUSTODY?

There is no other legal issue more important and emotionally draining than the issue of child custody.  The Courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia are charged with giving “primary consideration” to the best interest of the child without any presumption of favor for either party.  However there are ALWAYS individual situations that warrant a closer look and an advocate who will work for you in your family’s best interest.  Contact the Steidle & Gordon Attorneys at Law today!

Custody or visitation arrangements are determined based on 10 items (Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 20-124.3):

1. The age and physical and mental condition of the child, giving due consideration to the child’s changing developmental needs;

2. The age and physical and mental condition of each parent;

3. The relationship existing between each parent and each child, giving due consideration to the positive involvement with the child’s life, the ability to accurately assess and meet the emotional, intellectual and physical needs of the child;

4. The needs of the child, giving due consideration to other important relationships of the child, including but not limited to siblings, peers and extended family members;

5. The role that each parent has played and will play in the future, in the upbringing and care of the child;

6. The propensity of each parent to actively support the child’s contact and relationship with the other parent, including whether a parent has unreasonably denied the other parent access to or visitation with the child;

7. The relative willingness and demonstrated ability of each parent to maintain a close and continuing relationship with the child, and the ability of each parent to cooperate in and resolve disputes regarding matters affecting the child;

8. The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of reasonable intelligence, understanding, age and experience to express such a preference;

9. 9. Any history of family abuse as that term is defined in § 16.1-228 or sexual abuse. If the court finds such a history, the court may disregard the factors in subdivision 6;

10. Such other factors as the court deems necessary and proper to the determination.

In any situation where your family or someone you love is struggling with child custody challenges, contact the Steidle & Gordon Attorneys at Law today!