Often, children present one of the biggest challenges to a divorce. In addition to child support, spouses need to come to a custody agreement about the two types of child custody: legal and physical. Legal custody is the continued right of a parent to make important decisions about the health, education and welfare of a child. Physical custody addresses a child’s living and visitation arrangements. With issues like education, extracurricular activities, health, and friends and family, there are many considerations that need to be identified and addressed by parents in a divorce.
In Virginia, the best interests of the child is the legal standard that forms the basis for all custody agreements, and it will always be the priority for any judge in a court-ordered custody arrangement. However, a well-developed parenting plan can make sure that parents are able to adapt the requirements to the specific needs and wants of both children and parents. A family law attorney can help parents to review and revise a parenting plan in order to prevent future disputes from arising and set the standards for their co-parenting relationship.
The experienced attorneys at Mullett Dove Meacham & Bradley work with you to develop a parenting plan that meets the unique needs of your children. While an amicable divorce or the Collaborative Process are often the best approaches, our attorneys also have experience in high-conflict situations, advocating before a Virginia court judge or an arbitrator to make sure that the interests of the children are met. Contact us for a consultation on your custody agreement and parenting plan needs.
