Reston, Virginia Child Custody Attorney

Supportive Lawyer Helping Parents Resolve Concerns Related to Child Custody in Reston, VA

As a parent, it is only natural that you should want what is best for your child. When a divorce breaks up your family, you may have concerns about your child's well-being, particularly in regard to how you will share custody with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. A Reston family law attorney can help alleviate your worries, advocating for a solution that promotes your child's healthy upbringing and long-term happiness.

At Salvado Law Offices, we know just how traumatic custody disputes can be. We have the resources, legal knowledge, and experience to fight for a favorable outcome on your behalf. Our compassionate legal services have garnered over 100 5-star reviews, as we strive to preserve parent-child relationships through involved representation and counsel.

The Difference Between Physical and Legal Custody

The state of Virginia recognizes two forms of custody. Physical custody refers to the child's living arrangements and when they will spend time with each parent. In some cases, a 50/50 share of time at each parent's home may be appropriate, while in others, a more unconventional arrangement may be used, like spending summers at one parent's home. If the parents move far apart after a divorce, sole physical custody might be more practical, but the non-custodial parent will usually have the right to reasonable visitation time.

On the other hand, legal custody refers to the authority to make decisions about how the child will be raised. A parent with legal custody has a say in issues such as where the child will go to school, how healthcare will be handled, what extracurricular activities the child will participate in, and what faith the child will be raised in, if any. In joint custody arrangements, both parents can provide input on these decisions.

Sole Custody

If the courts find that one parent cannot provide a stable environment for the child, whether due to abuse, neglect, or general unfitness, the other parent may be awarded sole physical and legal custody. All decisions about child custody are governed by the child's best interests, which may trump a parent's wishes for a preferred arrangement. In cases involving high levels of conflict or concerns about a child's well-being, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to interview the child as well as the parents to determine what is truly best for the family going forward.

In sole custody arrangements, one parent may have sole decision-making authority, and the child may live with them most of the time, but the other parent may still have a right to regular visitation. A judge will determine an appropriate schedule for visits with the child, and depending on the circumstances of the case, these visits may be supervised or unsupervised.

Child Support

When parents split up, they still have an obligation to put funds towards their child's well-being, ensuring that the child can enjoy a similar quality of life after their divorce or separation. A court order of child support in Virginia will take different factors into account, such as which parent has physical custody for the majority of the time, the respective income of each parent, and the child's unique needs.

In cases where parents share roughly equal joint physical custody, the amount of child support ordered by a judge may be significantly reduced. However, parents may still have child support obligations to ensure that the ongoing expenses of raising a child are addressed.

Meet With a Reston Child Custody Lawyer

At Salvado Law Offices, we represent the interests of concerned Reston parents in custody disputes. When you work with our firm, we will take the time to understand your child's needs, and we will work towards a favorable outcome on your behalf. The professionals at our firm have been recognized as Super Lawyers for our outstanding service to our clients.

Our child custody attorneys have experience navigating complex, emotionally fraught divorce and child custody cases, and we will do everything in our power to promote your child's stability. To schedule a consultation with a legal professional today, call our offices at 301-933-1814 or contact us online.