Child Custody and Visitation
A custody dispute can be highly emotional and difficult for all parties involved, especially the children. If you are facing a custody dispute, it is important to know your rights and options to protect the best interests of your children. At The Law Offices of Anthony C. Williams, PLLC, we have extensive experience in family law cases and will do everything possible to preserve lasting relationships within your family and to protect the best interests of the children involved.
Contact us by calling 540-318-7269 to schedule a consultation or case evaluation with an experienced military and family law attorney.
We are experienced in child custody disputes involving:
- Divorcing parents
- Unmarried parents
- Grandparents' rights
- Military personnel
- Modifications to custody or visitation
- Enforcement of visitation and child support
- Drug and alcohol abuse modifications
- Step-parent adoptions
- Paternity disputes
Court Determinations of Child Custody
While parents usually know who will be the primary custodian of a child after a divorce, it can be a hotly contested issue when the court is involved. The court considers a number of factors including who has been the primary caretaker, where the child wants to reside, and the living conditions of the parties. If you are facing a dispute over the primary custody of a child, it is important to be prepared and to aggressively defend your rights and the best interests of your children.
The court must make an extremely difficult decision based on a snapshot of information in determining the best interests of your children. We know how to zealously present your situation in court in the best light possible, thereby maximizing your chances for custody.
Visitation Arrangements, Parenting-time and Custody
Legal custody if often shared. This allows both parties an opportunity to contribute to important decisions in the child's life, such as medical and educational choices. After determining legal custody and primary physical custody, the court makes a decision regarding visitation arrangements.
For example, a typical visitation schedule is where the primary custodian has the child for a majority of the time and the non-custodial parent has the child every other weekend, alternate holidays, and 2 to 6 weeks in summer. Courts may also award shared custody, giving equal time between both parents if it is feasible. Occasionally the court will award split custody where the children are separated between the parents, usually if the kids are older and have a preference.
Contact us by email or call 540-318-7269 to discuss these services with an experienced lawyer in Stafford, Virginia. We are open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. We offer evening, weekend and off-site appointments upon request.
