Manassas Child Custody Lawyers

Experienced Manassas Family Law Attorney for Child Custody Cases in Northern VA

If you have children, it’s probably safe to say there are few rights you value more than your parental rights. You have worked hard to provide for your child or children, and now that you and your spouse have decided to divorce or are going through a separation, you want to make sure that you don’t lose the right to see your kids, spend time with them, and have a say in how they are raised. Our Manassas child custody lawyers can help with that.

At Manassas Law Group, we understand that child custody disputes can be some of the most emotionally charged matters in family law cases. We also understand that it is best to avoid disputes whenever possible, but when the other side has decided to take an aggressive approach, we’re not afraid to be aggressive as well. Our goal is to resolve family disputes and child custody matters as quickly as possible while hopefully helping preserve relationships between parents, though we will ultimately always do what is in our client’s best interests.

Contact our Manassas, Virginia law firm to speak with an experienced family law attorney about your child custody case or any other divorce-related matters. Call (703) 361-8246 or reach out online today.

Virginia Child Custody Laws

Virginia’s child custody laws can be found under Title 20, Chapter 6.1 of the Code of Virginia.  The laws under this chapter cover custody and visitation arrangements for minor children.

The state recognizes different forms of custody: joint custody (including joint legal custody and joint physical custody) and sole custody. Joint legal custody allows both parents to make important decisions regarding their child’s upbringing, such as those related to medical care, school, and religious instruction. Joint physical custody, also called shared physical custody, involves the child living with both parents, though the time spent with each parent may vary. In contrast, sole custody grants one parent primary responsibility for the child’s daily life and major decisions.

If one parent is granted sole custody, the other parent may still receive visitation rights to maintain a relationship with the child. However, in joint custody arrangements, both parents share the responsibility for the child’s welfare and decision-making, ensuring that the child’s medical needs, education, and other essential aspects of their life are managed collaboratively.

Virginia courts aim to ensure that children have regular and ongoing contact with both parents when appropriate and encourages parents to share the responsibilities of raising their children. However, in certain circumstances, Virginia courts can also grant custody or visitation to someone else who has a genuine interest in the child (such as grandparents, stepparents, blood relatives, and other family members) if it is proven to be in the child’s best interests.

VA Code 20-124.3

Under Virginia Code 20-124.3, the courts must prioritize the best interests of the child when determining custody arrangements. To do this, they consider various factors. These factors include:

• The age of the child;
• The ages of each parent;
• The physical and mental condition of the child;
• The physical and mental condition of each parent;
• The relationship between parent and child;
• The parent’s ability to meet the emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of the child;
• Important relationships in the child’s life, such as siblings, peers, and extended family;
• Each parent’s role in the child’s upbringing;
• The willingness and ability of each parent to support the child’s contact with the other parent and resolve custody-related issues; and
• The preferences of the child.

Other Factors Influencing Child Custody Arrangements

When determining child custody, the court will also look at each parent’s history to ensure the safety and well-being of the child or children in question. As such, any history of child abuse, sexual abuse, or domestic violence will be carefully analyzed.

If either parent has a documented history of abuse, domestic violence, or neglect, it can significantly impact their chances of obtaining custody or visitation rights. This may mean restricted or supervised visitation for the offending parent, or in some cases, the denial of custody altogether.

What is a Guardian Ad Litem?

In Virginia child custody cases, what is called a “guardian ad litem” may be appointed when the court needs an independent party to represent the best interests of the child. This typically occurs in situations where there are significant concerns about the child’s welfare, such as allegations of abuse, neglect, or high-conflict custody disputes.

The guardian ad litem will conduct a thorough investigation, which may include interviewing the child, parents, and other relevant parties, review records, and observe the child’s living conditions. Based on their findings, the guardian ad litem provides the court with recommendations to help ensure that the final custody decision serves the child’s best interests.

Understand Your Rights as a Parent

Parents have the right to seek custody and visitation of their children, and the courts must make their decisions based on the best interests of the child without presuming favor for either parent. At the Manassas Law Group, our experienced Virginia family law attorneys are dedicated to helping parents enforce and protect these rights, all while providing skilled representation and guidance through the many challenges that often come with child custody cases.

Our law firm works diligently to advocate for your parental rights, ensuring that your voice is heard and your relationship with your child is preserved. Whether you are seeking joint custody, sole custody, or fair visitation arrangements, our Manassas family lawyers are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you and your family.