In Virginia, unmarried parents may face different legal procedures for custody and visitation than married parents. To establish custody and visiting rights, unmarried parents must comply with certain legal conditions. To make sure that your rights are respected and that your child's best interests are maintained, it is crucial for unmarried parents in Virginia to be aware with the state's custody rules. Virginia Custody Laws for Unmarried Parents

Determining Paternity

In Virginia, proving paternity is the first step towards granting unmarried parents custody rights. The father does not automatically have legal rights to the child if the mother and father were not married at the time of the child's birth. The father must first legally prove paternity in order to get custody or visitation rights. 

The father may sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity form, which is sent to the Virginia Department of Social Services, if both parents consent. This is a rapid and easy method of proving paternity, and it's frequently carried out soon after the baby is born.

Court Order: A paternity test may be ordered by the court in the event of a paternity dispute. The father may request custody and visitation rights after paternity has been proved.

Visitation and Custody for Unmarried Parents

Determining custody and visitation is the next step once paternity is proven. In Virginia, both parents have an equal right to request custody and visitation, and custody is decided in the child's best interests. However, when deciding custody, the court takes into account a number of issues, such as:

*the connection between each parent and their child.

*any past incidents of neglect or abuse.

In Virginia, there are two kinds of custody:

Physical Custody: This describes the child's living situation. One parent may be granted exclusive custody, or both parents may share physical custody.

Legal Custody: This is the authority to decide on the child's education, medical treatment, and other important areas of their life. Virginia Custody Laws for Unmarried Parents

Courts typically prefer joint custody agreements because they enable both parents to be actively involved in their child's life. However, the court may provide sole possession to the other parent if the other parent has a history of abuse, substance misuse, or other conditions that could endanger the kid.

Rights of Visitation

Unless there are safety concerns, the non-custodial parent usually has the right to visitation even if one parent is granted sole physical custody. If the parents are unable to agree, the court may order a visitation schedule or they may work it out between themselves. As long as it serves the child's best interests, the objective is to guarantee that the youngster keeps a relationship with both parents.

Changing Orders for Custody

The terms of custody are subject to change. If there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as a parent moving, the kid's needs changing, or doubts about one parent's capacity to care for the child, any parent may ask the court to amend the custody or visitation arrangement.

In conclusion

Virginia's unmarried parent custody statutes put the welfare of the kid first while guaranteeing that each parent has an equal chance to request custody or visitation rights. The court will next take into account a number of variables while deciding custody. Unmarried parents in Virginia should be ready to handle the legal system with the best interests of the child in mind, whether they are requesting sole or joint custody. In these cases, seeking advice from a family law lawyer can be extremely beneficial. Virginia Custody Laws for Unmarried Parents