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Virginia & Maryland Family Law Attorney

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Virginia Family Law – Child Custody and Visitation: Parent/Child Relationships & More

Second to last post in this series on child custody and visitation, I promise.

Previously, I posted questions about parent “fitness” and past parent involvement. Today, I have questions about parent/child relationships, child’s preference, living environment, support systems and lifestyle. As I mentioned at outset of this series, a custody or visitation dispute may involve some, none or all of these considerations. In making those decisions, the court must defer to the Best Interests of the Child Statute (previously posted). These questions are aimed at eliciting information from a parent that a court might find useful in making that determination.

Parent/Child Relationship

Does the child confide in the parent?

Does the child respect the parent?

Does the parent respect the child?

What is the level and extent of communication between parent and child?

How does the child react to discipline from the parent?

Child’s Preference

How old is the child?

How mature is the child?

Can the child accurately assess what is in his/her best interests?

Has the child been pressured into a “preference”?

To whom and under what circumstances has the preference been expressed?

What is the basis for the child’s preference?

Home, School & Community Environment

Can the child continue in school activities where he/she will be living?

Are there kids their age in the community?

Will school or parents be able to meet special needs?

Is child involved in clubs, activities, etc?

Is location of home suitable for children?

What is location of school child will attend?

Any concerns for safety of the child in the neighborhood or at school?

Availability of Support Systems of Each Parent

Friends

Religious groups

New spouse and step-children

Grandparents

Other family members

Mental health professionals

Neighbors

Child care providers

The Lifestyle of Each Parent

Occupation and work habits of parent

Involvement in the community

Involvement in church

Excessive use of alcohol, drugs

Responsibility (how were decisions made during the marriage)

Social life (hours kept)

Exposure of child to new romantic interests.

Personal cleanliness

Cleanliness of home

Tags : Tags: Best Interests of the Child, Child Custody, Child Visitation

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About

My experience and background reflect the hallmarks of success one must demand of a lawyer in Northern Virginia’s legal landscape. As a native of this area, I have here focused my practice on providing sound and balanced representation to clients navigating the difficult legal waters of family law, including contested divorce, custody, visitation, spousal and child support, and equitable distribution. More >>>

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Jason A. Weis, Esquire
Curran Moher, P.C.
3554 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 100
Fairfax, Virginia 22030

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Phone: (571) 328-5020

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Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I hope you find the information here as enjoyable to read as I find to write. Please note that reading this blog does not create a legal relationship between you and Jason A. Weis, Esquire or any other attorney associated with familylawva.com. Moreover, all postings on this blog are merely attorneys' commentary on the state of family law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. THE POSTINGS ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE – if you have a legal issue or question, I strongly encourage you to contact a lawyer. I would be pleased to refer you to someone if I am able.

Virginia Family Law – Child Custody and Visitation: Parent/Child Relationships & More

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