When parents who have a child or more are separated or divorced, a number of issues arise. The first one is, who will win legal custody of their child or children? As per child custody and visitation laws in Virginia, custody of a minor is a legal term which is usually used to maintain the relationship that the minor or minors have with the parents. Typically, a court’s determination of the child’s custody is that it would resolve issues such as which parent the child or children would spend most of the time with or whether the parents would equitably share their valuable time with their child or children. Additionally, the determination of the child’s custody may have an impact on the child’s financial livelihood and a decision of who shall be the payer and who the recipient will be.
According to child custody and visitation laws in Virginia, courts usually use the term “best interests of the child” to make a determination regarding custody of the child. Most states across the US have a list of mostly similar factors that they use as a guide to make a decision of child custody. Although the court will generally consider all of the elements in a judgment about the child’s care, some factors will outweigh the others in Virginia.
Generally, most parents can decide for themselves how custody of the child or children will be without court intervention for a judge to determine the matter of child custody, as per child custody and visitation laws in Virginia. However, some parents are unreasonable and unable to cooperate in reaching an agreement regarding custody of the child or children. It is at this point, where the parties will have to be involved in either mediation or litigation to resolve the custody dispute of the child. When parents become involved in litigation, the relationship between parents can become very hostile.
The mentality that some parents take is to win at any cost. Some of the allegations that are made in court submissions are about sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, alienation of affection by the other parent, etc.
The reason why reputable child custody lawyers in Virginia advise their clients to take the approach of the “highway” in a custody battle is for two reasons:
- the truth is finally made public, and the judges who have been hearing cases of child custody are not pleased when parents make false allegations;
- Although it is critical that you do not allow false allegations to be unquestionable, battles of custody of the child can be massively costly. If both parties are involved in making speculative claims, this will only raise the cost of litigation.
According to child custody and visitation laws in Virginia, although it is vital that you do not allow false allegations to be unquestionable, battles of custody of the child can be very expensive. If both parties are involved in making speculative claims, this will only raise the cost of litigation. Therefore, approach a well-versed Virginia child custody lawyer to help you get the outcome in your best favor.