Denial of child visitation in Virginia can result in losing joint or primary custody. Virginia law holds that a parent who interferes with or denies visitation to the non-custodial parent risks losing custody of children.

If your former husband or wife is not permitting you to have visitation with your children, you may want to contact me to help you understand your rights!

Recently, the mother's refusal to obey visitation orders issued by a Juvenile Court judge resulted in her losing primary physical custody of her two young children to their father. The father asked for a change in custody because of the mother's failure to insure the children

Virginia law is clear that the best interests of the child take precedence over even the best intentions of the parents in matters of child custody and visitation.

The parent with primary physical custody of a child has the obligation to insure to the reasonable extent possible that the child's relationship with the non-custodial parent be nurtured, and that all court-ordered visitation be conducted. A custodial parent who fails to do so may lose custody of the child.

When a court exercising proper jurisdiction over the parties makes orders relating to child visitation with the non-custodial parent, it is the obligation of the custodial parent to insure that the visitation takes place. This is true even if the child has expressed a desire not to have contact with the non-custodial parent. If the child expresses a reluctance to continue the visitation, the custodial parent should find out why, and then seek the court's review of the existing visitation order to determine if modification of it is necessary.

Consultation with a veteran Virginia child custody attorney is recommended if you face this kind of prblem.






Mr. Stelly regularly appears in the courts of the City of Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Goochland County, and Hanover County.

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