How to File for Child Custody in Fairfax, VA?

Ensuring your child’s physical and emotional needs are met is a top priority for parents. This is especially true if your child will grow up in separate homes. Whether you are going through a divorce, separating from a partner, or were never in a relationship with your co-parent, a child custody agreement should be in place if you are not living in the same home as the co-parent. If you’re in this position, you may be wondering how to file for child custody in Fairfax, VA.

The Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC team created this blog to be an informational resource, but we do want to note that it does not replace the valuable support that working with a family law attorney can provide. With over 100 years of cumulative family law experience, our team is ready to guide your child custody case to a favorable outcome for your situation.

Child Custody in Fairfax, VA

More than one-quarter of all US children under 21 have a parent who is not living in the same household. In many of these instances, issues like child custody, child support, and visitation schedules are commonplace.

There are several important steps involved in filing for child custody in Fairfax, Virginia. These steps include:

• Determine jurisdiction: In Fairfax, many custody cases fall under the jurisdiction of Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (J&DR) at 4110 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax, but some are resolved in the Circuit Court. A knowledgeable child custody lawyer can help you determine jurisdiction, but generally, the child must have resided in Fairfax County for six months and reside with the party seeking custody.
• Schedule an appointment: Contacting J&DR allows you to schedule an appointment with an Intake Officer. You will need to let the person you are speaking with know if you need an interpreter or if there is a prior court order from another court.
• Gather documents: At the appointment, you will need to bring a completed Child’s Address History Worksheet and Intake Sheet, as well as identifying documents for the child. If applicable, you will also need to bring copies of prior court orders and the other parent’s current home address.
• File the petition: A child custody petition and complaint will be drafted and signed during your appointment. Following the submission of these documents, you will be assigned a court date.

Following the appropriate steps for your case is crucial, as mistakes can negatively impact your case. If you need to file for child custody, reaching out to an experienced child custody attorney should be a consideration.

Common Mistakes During Custody Battles

Child custody cases can be contentious and evoke a lot of emotions, but it is important to avoid mistakes that can harm your case. Potential mistakes during a child custody case include:

• Poor communication: Effective communication with the child’s other parent is generally required for a successful co-parenting relationship. A failure in communication can cause issues with education, medical care, and social development.
• Falsifying claims: Honesty in court is important, as dishonesty could be treated more harshly than the issues you were being dishonest about.
• Inappropriate social media activity: Speaking disparagingly about your co-parent or the custody process can be detrimental to your case. Instead, talk with a trusted person about your frustrations related to your child custody case.

Why You Should Hire Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC for Child Custody

Nearly 22 million American children have separated parents and grow up in two homes, but every individual child custody case still requires care and compassion to successfully resolve.

The team at Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC understands the importance of skill and knowledge to successfully resolve custody cases. We diligently work with our clients to overcome challenges and protect what they value most by approaching each case with zealous advocacy and effective legal advice. With a long history of satisfied clients, it would be our pleasure to add you to the list by helping you establish a child custody order for your child.

FAQs

Defending Your Parental Rights

Family law cases involving children are often the most sensitive and challenging. A Fairfax child custody lawyer from Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC can handle your case with these complications in mind and help you reach a favorable outcome for your family. If you are filing for child custody, reach out to Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC to see how we can help.