In determining custody and visitation arrangements, the court is required to give primary consideration to the best interests of the child. In determining the best interests of the child, the court is required to consider the following factors. Such other factors as the court deems necessary and proper to the determination. Legal custody involves the authority to make important decisions regarding the child, such as the choice of schools and elective surgery. The parent with physical custody of the child can have sole legal custody, or the parents can share joint legal custody.
Physical custody reflects where the child resides.
The child support amount varies depending upon whether the child is with both parents more than 90 days per year. Virginia law dictates that, as a general rule, the child should have frequent and continuing contact with both parents, and both parents should share child rearing responsibilities. If you go to court for child support, the amount of child support awarded will be determined in accordance with the Virginia Child Support guidelines. A guideline worksheet is attached at Exhibit A. Using the worksheet, the judge first determines the income of both parents. The information for line 6.