Virginia Domestic Relations: Family Abuse Protective Order

Domestic violence can happen to any family. If you or your children have been the subject of domestic violence, there are several protections under the law that are available to you. The court system has the power to protect you and your children from family members that are threatening or engaging in physical harm.

So what powers does the court have, and what do you need to know when requesting a protective order?

What is the Definition of Family Abuse?

A protective order can be granted by the court in circumstances in which you or your children have been the subject of family abuse. Family abuse is defined as “any act involving violence, force, or threat that results in bodily injury or places one in reasonable apprehension of death, sexual assault, or bodily injury and that is committed by a person against such person's family or household member.”

Family abuse can be as simple as a Father or Mother threatening to hit their children with an object of some kind. There does not need to be an actual physical attack to qualify as family abuse.

What Should You Do If You Were Subject to Family Abuse?

The first thing you need to do is to go to your local court and speak with the intake office about why you feel you have been the subject of family abuse. Documents will be sent to the judge and the judge will decide if the facts you have given are enough to prove family abuse. If you have established family abuse, the court then has a number of options. The first thing the court will do is enter an emergency protective order. If the court feels you were not subject to family abuse, then the court will deny your request. Either way, you also be given a court date in five (5) days for the court to determine whether a longer protective order is necessary.

What is in a Protective Order?

A protective order can have a number of different provisions. The court can require that the abuser vacate the home, turn over certain vehicles, let you keep telephones, prohibit contact, and much more. Protective orders can also vary in how long they are granted for. They can range from as much as two (2) years to as little as two (2) weeks. It depends on the severity of the case.

Why Hire a Lawyer?

Even if you file for a protective order and receive a preliminary one, it is important to hire an attorney to advocate for you in court. You must still meet your burden of proof for the judge to extend the protective order. Contact a lawyer if you have been the subject of family abuse.

Child Custody: How to Modify an Order

The purpose of a child custody order is to maximize the amount of time each parent spends with their children and to encourage the personal and academic growth of the children. As children get older, their needs and schedules change. Parents also get new jobs and change houses. Whenever there are significant changes in you or your children’s lifestyle this can create the need for modifying your child custody order.

So, how are child custody orders modified?

Material Change in Circumstances

Before a child custody order can be modified, there must be a “material change in circumstances.” Virginia law requires that the lifestyle change that has happened must be directly related to the wellbeing of the children, and must be a significant change. Courts are unlikely to change a custody order over smaller changes such as a rescheduling of one extracurricular activity.

A common example of a material change in circumstance is a move or an intended move by one of the parents. Changing houses can have a significant impact on your children’s schedules. The move may result in longer commuting times, less time at home for one of the parents, and an increased burden on the non-custodial parent.

Another common example is a job change by one of the parents. If one parent takes on extra shifts at work, this may result in less time spent with the children. Courts are always looking to maximize time with both parents. Therefore, if one parent is unavailable, then the custody may shift to the other parent.

With respect to the children, the most common example of a material change in circumstance is age. As children grow older, they go to different schools and take on more extracurricular activities. The parent that is in a better position to encourage that personal growth for the children is a better candidate for custody.

Best Interest Factors

As with the initial custody decision, the Court will look at the same factors as before. The chief concern in a modification proceeding is the best interests of the children. As such, the Court looks at information including the best education for the children, extracurriculars and any other factors that will help the children mature.

Timeline for Modification

Every court is different. Some courts have more cases than others. However, most modification cases can take between two (2) months and one (1) year depending on how busy your particular court is.

How a Lawyer Can Help You

A lawyer is able to help you prepare your case for the Court. Custody proceedings are emotional, and it is hard to explain your story in a way that the judges are able to appreciate. A lawyers is also able to ensure the attendance of your witnesses and prepare you for what not to say to the Court. Finally, a lawyer can make sure you file all the necessary paperwork.