PMJF child custody lawyers work together as a team offering exceptional experience, commitment, and creativity to handle even the most difficult child custody and visitation cases.

Child Custody and Visitation:

The most important issue in the lives of single, separated, or divorced parents.

The importance of a well-presented child custody case cannot be overemphasized.  Our child custody attorneys are here to help you whenever a child custody or visitation issue arises whether pre- or post-separation or divorce or in the case of single parents seeking custody or modification of previous custody decrees.

Our child custody lawyers fully commit to clients facing tough Virginia child custody and visitation cases.  They are fully capable of handling everything from mediation and settlement of less adversarial matters to the most complex custody cases including those involving medical and psychological factors, Social Services involvement, grandparent/third-party custody and visitation, and more.

Please seek the assistance of qualified family law attorney whenever custody or well-being of your children is at stake.

The following is a basic overview provided by our child custody lawyers of factors affecting Virginia child custody and visitation determinations.  A number of exceptions and special rules are not discussed herein. 

The information provided is not legal advice or a substitute for the advice of an experienced child custody attorney familiar with the particular facts and circumstances of your case.

Virginia Child Custody and Visitation Determinations

Virginia child custody and visitation proceedings are governed by statute.  The guiding principle, as set forth at Virginia Code § 20-124.3, is the “best interest of the child”.  In order to make a decision that is in the child or children’s best interests a court must consider the following factors as argued for or against by the child custody lawyers:

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

As one can imagine, covering each of these factors thoroughly is a complex and detailed process for the child custody lawyer.  Although a person may represent himself, it is highly advisable that you seek consultation with an experienced child custody lawyer whenever child custody and visitation is an issue.  Our child custody lawyers have years of experience with Virginia child custody and visitation cases.  They will help you to present the strongest possible case concerning the best interests of your child or children.