W hen to F ile C ustody O rder C hanges
When you’re going through a divorce that involves children, the judge is going to decide on the best possible child custody situation. When they make this decision, they’ll try to decide the option that works in the best interest of the child. Sometimes what was in the best interest of the child then is not the same months or years down the line, which means you may have to modify your custody agreement. There’s a chance that changing a custody agreement could have an effect on the child’s stability, so a Virginia family law judge will need to see strong evidence of a material change in circumstances from the requesting parent. If both parents agree, the judge is more likely to grant the modification. Examples of material changes in circumstances include, but are not limited to, changes in a parent’s financial or work situation, geographical relocation, changes in the health of a parent, or any circumstance that negatively impacts the child.
In order to receive a modification to your child custody agreement, the parent requesting the change will need to file a motion with the courts. For the state of Virginia, this motion is typically filed with the same Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court that first ordered the original custody agreement. A judge will then decide if the modifications requested are actually in the best interest of the child.
It can be difficult to figure out the best time to file a motion
for a modification because you probably don’t want to disrupt your child’s current routine. It can often take 5–6 months to get a hearing date and your child needs to be at the hearing. If you’re trying not to pull your kid from school, the best time to file for a custody change or modification is in January or February. That way, your child will not
have to miss any school since they’ll already be away from school on summer break.
If you’re planning to file for a modification or change to your child custody agreement, give our office a call. We can offer advice to help ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible. 3 D reamy T rails in the N ortheast
GET YOUR HIKING BOOTS ON!
Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a lush dream? You don’t need to travel too far to experience truly stunning outdoor adventures. The U.S. has plenty within our borders! Here are just a few, located in our Northeastern states. No. 1: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire If you want to visit an enchanted forest, look no further than White Mountain National Forest! Whether you want to hike its various mountain ranges to spy some gorgeous views, wind through an endless sea of trees, or spot a plethora of unique local fauna and flora, this beautiful national forest has a trail for everyone. You can even hike the Appalachian Trail to walk a mile in our American ancestors’ shoes.
along a picturesque river and you’ll see fabulous slabs, cascades, woods, and much more. Unlike the popular — and often busy — White Mountain trails, this one is relatively quiet with its narrow foot path. It’s also a gentle walk, being mostly flat with some alternating, gentle ups and downs. It’s a great walk for all ages. No. 3: Camel’s Hump Trail, Vermont As the third highest peak in the state, Camel’s Hump Trail offers unbeatable views in nearly every direction. It’s easy to reach the trailhead, as it’s just off Camel’s Hump Road with a small parking area for visitors. It’s very convenient, but make sure to arrive early in warmer months and on weekends — the road is not an option for parking. The trail offers stunning views of Vermont because of the high elevation, but it may be challenging if you’re afraid of heights. The last part of the trail is quite steep, but once you reach the peak, you’ll see an incredible 360-degree view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can even see Canada!
No. 2: Stepstone Falls (Ben Utter Trail), Rhode Island If you’re in Rhode Island, especially in spring, you won’t want to miss
this perfect trail. Follow this walk
If you want to live out your outdoor dreams, these are excellent places to start! Give them a try!
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