The Maddox Law Firm, P.C.
Firm OverviewPractice AreasAttorneysFirm NewsE-NewsletterContact UsLinksFamily Law BlogHome
(703) 883-8035
Family Law Info Area
Child Custody & Visitation

The Maddox Law Firm, P.C. – Virginia Child Custody Lawyers

At The Maddox Law Firm, P.C., we understand the anxiety and fear that accompanies dealing with Virginia’s child custody and visitation laws. That is why we strive to provide a professional family law service in a caring environment. We are providing the information below to familiarize you with some child custody and visitation issues. In many cases, fear stems more from the unknown and the uncertainty regarding the laws and how they will be applied to your specific case. While we cannot totally eliminate that fear, we can temper it by providing you with some of the information regarding child custody and visitation law. If you have any questions regarding the information below, or any other family law issues, please contact one of our Virginia child custody lawyers today.

Whether you are seeking child custody or child visitation rights, or whether you are seeking to prevent an abusive spouse from unsupervised visits, or whether you are seeking a modification of your child custody or visitation orders due to a significant change of circumstances, you want an experienced family law attorney representing your legal interests. We understand your plight, we understand Virginia law, and we understand the process. Contact one of our Virginia child custody lawyers today, and discover how to put our experience to work for you. Whether you are seeking child custody or child visitation rights, or whether you are seeking to prevent an abusive spouse from unsupervised visits, or whether you are seeking a modification of your child custody or visitation orders due to a significant change of circumstances, you want an experienced family law attorney representing your legal interests. We understand your plight, we understand Virginia law, and we understand the process. Contact one of our Virginia child custody lawyers today, and discover how to put our experience to work for you.

Child Custody and Visitation - An Overview

Parents who are divorcing have much to consider. Uppermost in their minds is often child custody. Child custody and visitation/parenting time can come in many forms. Joint custody and sole custody; legal custody and physical custody; custody evaluations and modifications: all are terms with which a divorcing parent will become familiar. Knowledgeable advice and skilled representation from an experienced family law attorney can assist you in your pursuit of a fair custody arrangement.

Read More

Creating Parenting Plans that Work

A parenting plan is an agreement between parents who are either divorced/divorcing or never married, and it outlines the custody of their children. It takes into account arrangements such as who has the children on which days; who makes major decisions about the children's education, health, etc.; and what to do if any party's situation significantly changes. Parents who agree on a parenting plan rather than let the court decide are more likely to comply with custody arrangements.

Sitting down with the spouse you are divorcing to work out a parenting plan may seem like the last thing you want to do, but this approach holds many advantages. You are the people who know your children best: their needs, their schedules and their preferences. By working together to create a parenting plan that satisfies the needs of your new family structure, you will avoid the possibility of a court's less nuanced solution. A court can only know what you tell it about your family's particularities, but you and your spouse are already exceptionally familiar with the territory. A family law attorney can help you create a plan that is right for you and your family.

Read More

Divorce Education

Each year, about 1 million American children see their families changed through divorce. The ongoing health and mental well-being of these children often depends upon how their parents interact following the end of the marriage. An experienced family law attorney can inform, guide and support you throughout the divorce and custody process.

Read More

Custody and Visitation Dos and Don'ts

One thing divorce does not change is your being a parent. Whether you develop a traditional visitation schedule or a flexible co-parenting plan, whether the arrangement is temporary or permanent, you can help make the time you spend with your children happy and productive. When questions regarding custody and visitation arise, an experienced family law attorney is the ideal source for competent counsel.

Read More

Custody Evaluations: What You Should Know

If you and your former spouse have been unable to reach an agreement regarding child custody, the family court judge deciding your case may order a custody evaluation. A custody evaluation is a process in which a mental health professional, usually a psychologist, evaluates you, your children and your spouse in order to make a custody and visitation recommendation to the court. Courts tend to give considerable weight to the recommendations of the evaluator. A family law attorney can explain custody evaluations and answer your child custody questions.

Read More


Call us now

or use the form below.

Name:


Phone Number:


Email Address:


Comments:

 

Click here to provide more information.

Frequently Asked Questions about Child Custody and Visitation

Q: What is the difference between legal and physical custody?

A: Physical custody refers to where the child lives and who has responsibilities associated with daily childcare. Legal custody is the decision-making responsibilities associated with the education, healthcare and religious upbringing of a child.

Q: When parents fight over custody, how does the court decide?

A: The typical standard is the best interests of the child. Each state has specific guidelines, but the court usually takes into consideration what each parent wants, what the child wants (if the child is old enough and/or mature enough), which parent has been the primary caretaker, the parenting abilities of each parent and whether there is a history of abuse.

Read More

Our office is located in Vienna, near Tyson's Corner in Northern Virginia, and our family law attorneys routinely handle cases in Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Loudoun County and Prince William County, as well as in the city of Alexandria. We also accept cases in nearly all other Virginia jurisdictions, and we have represented clients in Albemarle County, Augusta County, Caroline County, Frederick County, Goochland County, King George County, Middlesex County, Rappahannock County, Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, Stafford County and Spotsylvania County, as well as in the cities of Fredericksburg and Winchester.



Suite 101
8221 Old Courthouse Road
Vienna, Virginia 22182

(703) 883-8035
(703) 356-6120 fax

Map
Email Us

© 2010 The Maddox Law Firm, P.C. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Site Map

FirmSite ® designed and hosted by Thomson-FindLaw.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.