How old can a child be to refuse to see a parent in Virginia?

One court in Virginia has said that a 7-year-old child is too young to have a reasonable preference, though courts in Virginia will take a case-by-case approach to determine if children under the age of 12 have the intelligence and understanding to voice a reasonable preference.

How is child custody determined in Virginia courts?

Virginia courts determine child custody for separating parents who can’t come to an agreement on their own. Judges must consider the following factors when deciding custody: the child’s age, physical condition, and mental health. each parent’s age, physical condition, and mental health.

Can a judge decide when a child is a certain age?

It’s not “when” the child is a certain age—it’s if the child demonstrates the requisite amount of maturity and sophistication, the judge may decide to take the child’s preference into account.

What is the best interests of the child statute in Virginia?

All of the Virginia statutes applicable to family law, the Best Interests of the Child statute is the only one I print up in its entirety and provide to clients during my initial consultation. On this website, it can be found here. What is the custody and visitation status quo?

One court in Virginia has said that a 7-year-old child is too young to have a reasonable preference, though courts in Virginia will take a case-by-case approach to determine if children under the age of 12 have the intelligence and understanding to voice a reasonable preference.

Virginia courts determine child custody for separating parents who can’t come to an agreement on their own. Judges must consider the following factors when deciding custody: the child’s age, physical condition, and mental health. each parent’s age, physical condition, and mental health.

Can a non custodial parent get custody in Virginia?

Virginia favors custody and visitation arrangements that keep both parents involved in the lives of their children. However, supervised visitation may be ordered if the non-custodial parent has acted inappropriately with the child or placed the child in a dangerous situation.

Can a parent express preference in Virginia custody?

If parents can agree on a suitable custody and parenting time (visitation) arrangement, in most cases, the judge will approve it and use it to create the family custody order. Virginia courts determine child custody for separating parents who can’t agree on their own.