Petition For Custody Form Virginia In Riverside
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FAQ
These are some mistakes you're going to want to be mindful to avoid. TALKING BADLY ABOUT THE OTHER PARENT TO THE CHILD. FAILING TO TAKE ON CHALLENGING TASKS. NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE OTHER PARENT. TRYING TO MAKE YOUR CHILDREN FEEL SORRY FOR YOU. PREVENTING THE OTHER PARENT'S ACCESS TO THE CHILDREN.
It really doesn't matter. This isn't a criminal case, where the state is bringing charges against you. Even if you're a defendant, that doesn't mean that you've done something wrong. There is no presumption in favor of whichever party filed first.
The needs of the child. The best interests of the child. The willingness of each parent to actively support the child's contact with the other parent. The willingness of each parent to keep a close relationship with the child.
To get a custody order from a court, you will need to start by filing a petition in the Court Service Unit of a juvenile and domestic relations district court in the county where your child is living. For a list of courthouses in Virginia, please see our VA Courthouse Locations page.
To get sole custody of your minor child in Virginia, you must show that sole custody is in your child's best interests. Virginia courts rely on 10 factors, called the best interests factors, to determine the best interests of children when it comes to custody decisions.
When you file your case, the court schedules an initial hearing, usually three to four months out. In busier courts (Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, etc.), you may wait six or more months for the hearing. If you have a settlement ready, you'll finalize it here.
Filing for Temporary Custody in Virginia Courts Parents seeking temporary custody must file their case through the appropriate Virginia court system. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (J&DR) primarily handles custody matters, unless they're part of an ongoing divorce case in Circuit Court.
Parents must start the paperwork through their local Court Services Unit of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations (J&DR) Court. For parents with a Divorce case, the Circuit Court could also handle custody and support (both spousal and child). See the Divorce page for more information.
