Few legal matters carry the emotional weight of a custody dispute. Parenting decisions about schedules, holidays, school, and daily routines can quickly become legal questions with lasting consequences. The possibility of losing time with your child can make even small disagreements feel overwhelming.
Whether you are navigating a divorce, establishing custody as an unmarried parent, or seeking to modify an existing arrangement, having an attorney who understands both the law and what is actually at stake for your family matters enormously. Deering Hedrick, P.C. represents parents throughout Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads in child custody matters. Call us today at (757) 383-6848 for a consultation.
Understanding Child Custody Laws in Virginia
Virginia law recognizes two distinct types of custody:
- Legal custody, which governs a parent’s authority to make major decisions about a child’s upbringing, including education, medical care, and religious upbringing
- Physical custody, which addresses where a child primarily lives and how time is divided between parents.
Custody can be awarded solely to one parent or shared jointly, depending on the specific circumstances of the family and what the court determines serves the child’s best interests.
How Does Child Custody Work in Virginia Beach?
Custody cases in Virginia Beach proceed through the local Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, or as part of a broader divorce proceeding in Circuit Court when custody is one of several issues being resolved.
Virginia courts apply a “best interests of the child” standard to every custody determination, meaning the court’s central focus is on what arrangement will most benefit the child, not necessarily what either parent individually prefers.
Child Custody Cases We Handle
Custody disputes rarely look the same from one family to the next, and our firm handles a wide range of matters shaped by the specific circumstances each family is facing:
- Initial custody determinations in divorce or paternity cases
- Custody modifications when circumstances have significantly changed
- Visitation rights and parenting time disputes
- Interstate and relocation custody disputes
- Grandparent visitation and custody matters
- Mediation services for parents seeking to resolve custody issues cooperatively
- Emergency custody matters involving safety concerns
No matter which category your situation falls into, or if it involves a combination of these issues at once, our team approaches every case with the same commitment to understanding your family’s specific needs and protecting your relationship with your child.
The Child Custody Process in Virginia
A custody case generally begins with filing a petition, either as part of a divorce or as a standalone action, followed by an exchange of information between the parties, and often an opportunity for mediation before the matter proceeds to a contested hearing.
If the parents cannot reach an agreement, the case proceeds to a hearing where a judge reviews the evidence and testimony before making a custody determination based on the child’s best interests.
Questions about a custody or visitation dispute? Contact Deering Hedrick, P.C. at (757) 383-6848 to discuss your circumstances and learn more about the next steps in a Virginia Beach custody case.
Common Mistakes in a Custody Battle
Certain actions or communication patterns can create avoidable complications in a custody matter. Examples may include:
- Speaking negatively about the other parent in front of the child or on social media
- Failing to keep clear records of parenting time and important communications
- Missing scheduled parenting time without a reasonable explanation
- Using hostile, threatening, or poorly documented communication with the other parent
- Violating an existing custody or visitation order
- Failing to address concerns that could affect the child’s safety, consistency, or daily care
Every custody case is different. An attorney can help you understand which facts may be relevant and how to approach communications, documentation, and compliance with existing court orders.
What Factors Can Affect a Child Custody Decision?
Virginia courts consider several factors when deciding child custody. These may include:
- The child’s age and physical and mental health
- Each parent’s physical and mental health
- The relationship between each parent and the child
- The child’s individual needs
- The role each parent has played in raising the child
- Each parent’s ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent
- The child’s preference, when the child is mature enough to express a reasonable preference
- Any history of family abuse, neglect, or other safety concerns
The court may also consider each parent’s ability to maintain a close, continuing relationship with the child, cooperate on child-related decisions, and any other circumstances it finds relevant. No single factor automatically controls the result.
Who Is Most Likely to Win Custody of a Child?
Virginia courts do not decide custody based on a parent’s gender. Instead, they consider the child’s best interests and the circumstances of the family as a whole.
A parent’s consistent involvement in the child’s life, ability to meet the child’s needs, willingness to encourage an appropriate relationship with the other parent, and capacity to provide safe, reliable care may all be relevant. However, no single consideration guarantees a particular result. The court evaluates the complete statutory best-interests analysis before making a custody determination.
Why Families Choose Deering Hedrick P.C.
Founding attorneys Mike Deering and Chris Hedrick bring over 30 years of combined legal experience to family law cases throughout Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and the greater Hampton Roads region. We understand that a custody case is rarely just about legal outcomes. It is about protecting your relationship with your child and providing the stability they need during a difficult transition.
Our team takes the time to understand your specific family circumstances and build a strategy tailored to your goals, whether that means working toward a cooperative resolution through mediation or preparing thoroughly for a contested hearing when negotiation is not possible. We combine that individualized approach with clear, consistent communication throughout the process, so you always know where your case stands and what to expect next.
If you are facing a child custody matter in Virginia Beach, do not wait to get legal guidance. Contact Deering Hedrick, P.C. at (757) 383-6848 for a consultation, and let us help you understand your rights and protect your relationship with your child.
