CHILD CUSTODY IN LOUDOUN VIRGINIA
If you need help with a contested child custody case in Virginia, our law firm can help you.
Virginia Court pursuant to Virginia Code 20-124.2 may order custody and visitation.
If you are seeking an experienced attorney to help you with a child custody in Loudoun Virginia, call us for help.
CHILD CUSTODY-Va. Code Ann 20-124.2
Virginia Code 20-124.2. Court-ordered custody and visitation arrangements
A. In any case in which custody or visitation of minor children is at issue, whether in a circuit or district court, the court shall
provide prompt adjudication, upon due consideration of all the facts, of custody and visitation arrangements, including support and maintenance for the children, prior
to other considerations arising in the matter. The court may enter an order pending the suit as provided in 20-103. The procedures for determining custody and
visitation arrangements shall insofar as practical, and consistent with the ends of justice, preserve the dignity and resources of family members. Mediation shall be
used as an alternative to litigation where appropriate. When mediation is used in custody and visitation matters, the goals may include development of a proposal
addressing the child’s residential schedule and care arrangements, and how disputes between the parents will be handled in the future.
B. In determining custody, the court shall give primary consideration to the best interests of the child. The court shall assure minor
children of frequent and continuing contact with both parents, when appropriate, and encourage parents to share in the responsibilities of rearing their children. As
between the parents, there shall be no presumption or inference of law in favor of either. The court shall give due regard to the primacy of the parent-child
relationship but may upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence that the best interest of the child would be served thereby award custody or visitation to any
other person with a legitimate interest. The court may award joint custody or sole custody.
C. The court may order that support be paid for any child of the parties. The court shall also order that support will continue to be
paid for any child over the age of 18 who is (i) a full-time high school student, (ii) not self-supporting, and (iii) living in the home of the party seeking or
receiving child support until such child reaches the age of 19 or graduates from high school, whichever first occurs. The court may also order the continuation of
support for any child over the age of 18 who is (i) severely and permanently mentally or physically disabled, (ii) unable to live independently and support himself,
and (iii) resides in the home of the parent seeking or receiving child support. In addition, the court may confirm a stipulation or agreement of the parties which
extends a support obligation beyond when it would otherwise terminate as provided by law. The court shall have no authority to decree support of children payable by
the estate of a deceased party. The court may make such further decree as it shall deem expedient concerning support of the minor children, including an order that
either party or both parties provide health care coverage or cash medical support, or both.
D. In any case in which custody or visitation of minor children is at issue, whether in a circuit or district court, the court may
order an independent mental health or psychological evaluation to assist the court in its determination of the best interests of the child. The court may enter such
order as it deems appropriate for the payment of the costs of the evaluation by the parties.
E. The court shall have the continuing authority and jurisdiction to make any additional orders necessary to effectuate and enforce any
order entered pursuant to this section or 20-103 including the authority to punish as contempt of court any willful failure of a party to comply with the provisions of
the order. A parent or other person having legal custody of a child may petition the court to enjoin and the court may enter an order to enjoin a parent of the child
from filing a petition relating to custody and visitation of that child for any period of time up to 10 years if doing so is in the best interests of the child and
such parent has been convicted of an offense under the laws of the Commonwealth or a substantially similar law of another state, the United States, or any foreign
jurisdiction which constitutes (i) murder or voluntary manslaughter, or a felony attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit any such offense, if the victim of the
offense was a child of the parent, a child with whom the parent resided at the time the offense occurred, or the other parent of the child, or (ii) felony assault
resulting in serious bodily injury, felony bodily wounding resulting in serious bodily injury, or felony sexual assault, if the victim of the offense was a child of
the parent or a child with whom the parent resided at the time of the offense. When such a petition to enjoin the filing of a petition for custody and visitation is
filed, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child pursuant to 16.1-266.
Virginia Statute |
Description |
Conditions |
Va. Code Ann § 20-124.2(A) |
Court-ordered custody and visitation arrangements |
The circuit or district court shall provide prompt adjudication on considering the custody and visitation arrangements, support and maintenance and other
considerations arising in the matter. The court order a pendente lite order according to § 20-103. |
Va. Code Ann § 20-124.2(B) |
Court-ordered custody and visitation arrangements |
The court may award joint custody or sole custody. Primary Importance is given to the best interests of the child. Court also orders for frequent and continuing
contact with both parents. |
Va. Code Ann § 20-124.2(C) |
Court-ordered custody and visitation arrangements |
The court may order for child support and may order that it be continued even if the child is over the age of 18 if the child is (i) a full-time high school
student, (ii) not self-supporting, and (iii) living in the home of the party seeking or receiving child support until such child reaches the age of 19 or graduates
from high school, whichever first occurs, iv) severely and permanently mentally or physically disabled, v) unable to live independently and support himself, and (vi)
resides in the home of the parent seeking or receiving child support.The powers of the court regarding the support of children payable by the estate of a deceased
party.The court may also order that either party or both parties provide health care coverage or cash medical support, or both. |
Va. Code Ann § 20-124.2(D) |
Court-ordered custody and visitation arrangements |
The circuit or district court may order mental health or psychological evaluation as it would assist in determining the best interests of a child and for
appropriate payment of costs. |
Va. Code Ann § 20-124.2(E) |
Court-ordered custody and visitation arrangements |
The court shall make additional orders necessary to effectuate and enforce any order entered pursuant to this section or § 20-103.The court is vested with the
authority to punish for contempt of court in case of any willful failure of a party to comply with the provisions of the order.The court may enjoin any person from
filing for custody or visitation if one party petitions that it is for the best interest of the child and who had been convicted of murder or voluntary manslaughter,
or a felony attempt, or any offense against child or (ii) felony assault resulting in serious bodily injury.The court appoints appoint a guardian ad litem pursuant to
§ 16.1-266, when such a petition to enjoin the filing of a petition for custody and visitation is filed. |
If you are seeking an experienced attorney to help you with a child custody in Loudoun Virginia, call us for help.
A Sris
Sris Law Group
1-703-278-0405