Source: http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=152&state_code=VA&open_id=13475
Timestamp: 2015-07-06 15:40:25
Document Index: 237805668

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 20', '§ 20', '§ 20', '§ 20']

WomensLaw.org | Virginia: Custody | After an order is in place
http://www.womenslaw.org//laws_state_type.php?id=152&state_code=VA&open_id=13475〈=enAdd Link to Email	Below is state-specific information about custody in Virginia.Below is state-specific information about custody in Virginia.http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=152&state_code=VA&open_id=13475〈=enAdd Link to EmailAdd Text to Email Please Log in to SPS to create custom email contentDefinitionsBasic informationWho can get custody and visitationThe custody processSteps for filing for custody After an order is in placeIf a custody order is already in place, how can I get it changed?Can I change the state where the case is being heard?If there is a custody order in place, can I relocate?Can a parent who does not have custody have access to the child's records?Child support After an order is in placeback to topIf a custody order is already in place, how can I get it changed?You can file to have your current custody order modified (changed) if there has been a material (substantial) change in circumstances since your most recent order was issued.* When making a decision about whether or not to change the order, the judge will look at whether there has, in fact, been a change in circumstances and whether or not changing the order will be in the best interests of the child.** A “material change in circumstances” may include (but is not limited to):
One parent intentionally keeping the other parent from visiting with the child without good reason;*
Changes in the child’s life, such as special educational needs or health needs;
Negative changes in the life of the parent who has custody, which will impact the welfare of the child; or
Positive changes in the life of the parent without custody, such as remarriage, creation of a stable home environment, and increased ability to provide emotional and financial support for the child.**
Generally, you would file a petition for modification at the juvenile and domestic relations district court that issued your original custody order. You would have to arrange for the abuser to be served with the petition so that s/he has the chance to appear in court. The hearing may be similar to previous custody hearings, but you will have to prove that a material change in circumstances has occurred and that it is in the child's best interests to change the order.
Also, if one of the parties in a custody case is a member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, or any other reserve, and the reason for the modification request is that party's deployment, then it can be requested that the petition be reviewed more quickly by the judge.*
** See Keel v. Keel, 303 S.E.2d 917 (Va. 1983)You can file to have your current custody order modified (changed) if there has been a material (substantial) change in circumstances since your most recent order was issued.* When making a decision about whether or not to change the order, the judge will look at whether there has, in fact, been a change in circumstances and whether or not changing the order will be in the best interests of the child.** A “material change in circumstances” may include (but is not limited to):
* One parent intentionally keeping the other parent from visiting with the child without good reason;*
* Changes in the child’s life, such as special educational needs or health needs;
* Negative changes in the life of the parent who has custody, which will impact the welfare of the child; or
* Positive changes in the life of the parent without custody, such as remarriage, creation of a stable home environment, and increased ability to provide emotional and financial support for the child.**
** See _Keel v. Keel_, 303 S.E.2d 917 (Va. 1983)http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=152&state_code=VA&open_id=13475〈=en#content-13476Add Link to EmailAdd Text to Email
back to topCan I change the state where the case is being heard?If you move to another state, you may be able to change the state where the custody case is being heard (sometimes known as a "change of venue"). However, if there has been a lot of court dates for your case already or if the other parent objects to the case being moved, this might make it harder to transfer the case. Generally, the judge hearing the case will need to be involved in this decision. This is a complicated issue, so it may be best to contact a lawyer if this applies to you. For more information on changing a final custody order in a different state, go to the Changing a final custody order section on our non-state-specific Custody page
To find organizations that provide legal help in Virginia, please see our VA Finding a Lawyer page.If you move to another state, you may be able to change the state where the custody case is being heard (sometimes known as a "change of venue"). However, if there has been a lot of court dates for your case already or if the other parent objects to the case being moved, this might make it harder to transfer the case. Generally, the judge hearing the case will need to be involved in this decision. This is a complicated issue, so it may be best to contact a lawyer if this applies to you. For more information on changing a final custody order in a different state, go to the Changing a final custody order [/laws_state_type.php?id=11149&state_code=GE&open_id=12218] section on our non-state-specific Custody page
To find organizations that provide legal help in Virginia, please see our VA Finding a Lawyer [/gethelp_state_type.php?type_name=FindingaLawyer&state_code=VA] page.http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=152&state_code=VA&open_id=13475〈=en#content-13478Add Link to EmailAdd Text to Email
back to topIf there is a custody order in place, can I relocate?Custody orders in Virginia are supposed to include a condition that if either parent wants to "relocate," s/he has to give the other parent and the court 30 days advance written notice of the intended move. The notice has to include the intended change of address, unless the judge says you do not have to provide your address.* Note: The law does not indicate how far the move must be in order to be considered a "relocation." If you are not sure if this applies to your situation, please get advice from an attorney. You may also want to ask an attorney for advice on the best way to keep a record of the notice you send to the other parent (for example, perhaps sending it return-receipt requested, etc.) Upon receiving the notice, the other parent may object to your intended move, especially if it would interfere with his/her time with the children. In that case, you may have to ask the court to change the order to allow you to move and to modify the visitation schedule so that the move will not violate the other parent's visitation order. The court will decide whether or not to allow the child to relocate based on the best interests of the child. For more information on how to change your custody order, please see If a custody order is already in place, can I get it changed? Warning: If your custody order says you cannot take your child out of the state or if by moving out of state, you violate the visitation rights of the other parent, you could possibly be charged with contempt of court, parental kidnapping, or both.** Note: If you are in danger and need to leave the state to protect yourself or your child, you may be able to file for temporary emergency custody in the state that you flee to. Getting a temporary order will mean that you have legal custody of your child for the time being, but the abuser could be notified that you applied for custody in that state, which might make it easier for him/her to locate you. For more information about how to get this, see Can I get temporary emergency custody? Please talk to a lawyer before leaving the state if at all possible. Go to VA Finding a Lawyer for free and paid lawyers.
** Va. Code §§ 18.2-49.1; 18.2-47(D)Custody orders in Virginia are supposed to include a condition that if either parent wants to "relocate," s/he has to give the other parent and the court 30 days advance written notice of the intended move. The notice has to include the intended change of address, unless the judge says you do not have to provide your address.* NOTE: The law does not indicate how far the move must be in order to be considered a "relocation." If you are not sure if this applies to your situation, please get advice from an attorney. You may also want to ask an attorney for advice on the best way to keep a record of the notice you send to the other parent (for example, perhaps sending it return-receipt requested, etc.) Upon receiving the notice, THE OTHER PARENT MAY OBJECT TO YOUR INTENDED MOVE, especially if it would interfere with his/her time with the children. In that case, you may have to ask the court to change the order to allow you to move and to modify the visitation schedule so that the move will not violate the other parent's visitation order. The court will decide whether or not to allow the child to relocate based on the best interests of the child. For more information on how to change your custody order, please see If a custody order is already in place, can I get it changed? [/laws_state_type.php?id=152&state_code=VA&open_id=13475#content-13476] WARNING: If your custody order says you cannot take your child out of the state or if by moving out of state, you violate the visitation rights of the other parent, you could possibly be charged with contempt of court, parental kidnapping, or both.** NOTE: If you are in danger and need to leave the state to protect yourself or your child, you may be able to file for TEMPORARY EMERGENCY CUSTODY in the state that you flee to. Getting a temporary order will mean that you have legal custody of your child for the time being, but the abuser could be notified that you applied for custody in that state, which might make it easier for him/her to locate you. For more information about how to get this, see Can I get temporary emergency custody? [/laws_state_type.php?id=12349&state_code=VA&open_id=11283#content-11287] Please talk to a lawyer before leaving the state if at all possible. Go to VA Finding a Lawyer [/gethelp_state_type.php?type_name=FindingaLawyer&state_code=VA] for free and paid lawyers.
** Va. Code §§ 18.2-49.1; 18.2-47(D)http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=152&state_code=VA&open_id=13475〈=en#content-13479Add Link to EmailAdd Text to Email
back to topCan a parent who does not have custody have access to the child's records?Generally, either parent (regardless of whether or not s/he has custody) can have access to the minor child’s academic or health records, unless a court decides there is good cause to deny a parent access to those records.* A history of family abuse may qualify as good cause.** In addition, the child’s doctor or clinical psychologist can deny a parent’s request to see the child’s health records if s/he feels that there is a good chance the child or another person will be substantially harmed by allowing that parent to see the records. The parent who is denied access can have this decision reviewed (and possibly overturned) by another doctor or clinical psychologist with similar training and experience at his/her own expense.*** * Va. Code § 20-124.6(A)
** See, for example, L.C.S. v. A.C.S., 453 S.E.2d 580 (Va. App. 1995)
*** Va. Code §§ 20-124.6(B); 32.1-127.1:03Generally, either parent (regardless of whether or not s/he has custody) can have access to the minor child’s academic or health records, unless a court decides there is good cause to deny a parent access to those records.* A history of family abuse may qualify as good cause.** In addition, the child’s doctor or clinical psychologist can deny a parent’s request to see the child’s health records if s/he feels that there is a good chance the child or another person will be substantially harmed by allowing that parent to see the records. The parent who is denied access can have this decision reviewed (and possibly overturned) by another doctor or clinical psychologist with similar training and experience at his/her own expense.*** * Va. Code § 20-124.6(A)
** See, for example, _L.C.S. v. A.C.S_., 453 S.E.2d 580 (Va. App. 1995)
*** Va. Code §§ 20-124.6(B); 32.1-127.1:03http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=152&state_code=VA&open_id=13475〈=en#content-13480Add Link to EmailAdd Text to Email