Parenting Time Lawyer Chesapeake, VA
When parents in Chesapeake, Virginia separate or divorce, resolving how each parent spends time with their children is often the most personal and difficult part of the case. Virginia law uses the term “parenting time” or “visitation” to describe the schedule and allocation of time each parent has with the child. A parent’s relationship with their child does not end with a separation, and the courts in Chesapeake work to ensure that the child’s best interests guide every parenting-time determination. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents mothers and fathers in Chesapeake parenting-time matters, helping them understand the legal framework and pursue arrangements that are fair and workable for their family. To discuss your parenting-time situation, contact Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at (888) 437-7747.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Parenting Time Means in Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake is part of Virginia’s First Judicial District, and family-law cases involving parenting time are heard at the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court when the matter is not part of a pending divorce, or at the Chesapeake Circuit Court when it is included within a divorce or equitable-distribution proceeding. Both courts are located at 307 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Parenting-time orders issued by these courts define when the child physically resides with each parent, including weekday, weekend, holiday, and summer schedules.
Virginia law does not automatically favor one parent over the other. Under Va. Code § 20-124.2, the court determines parenting time based on what serves the best interests of the child, applying ten specific factors set out in § 20-124.3. Those factors include each parent’s role in the child’s upbringing, the child’s relationship with each parent, the child’s needs, and any history of family abuse. The court may order a custody evaluation or appoint a guardian ad litem to gather information before making a parenting-time ruling. Judges in Chesapeake’s family courts apply these statutory factors to each case, meaning that no two parenting-time schedules are identical — they are shaped by the unique circumstances of the family.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Parenting Time Cases
Parenting-time disputes can arise during a divorce, after a separation, or years later when a parent seeks to modify an existing schedule. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team approach every parenting-time matter with a focus on the practical realities of the child’s daily life. They begin by listening to the parent’s concerns and gathering information about the child’s routine, schooling, medical needs, and extracurricular commitments. This fact-gathering phase is essential to presenting a clear picture of why a particular schedule serves the child’s best interests.
The team works to resolve parenting-time disagreements through negotiation and, where appropriate, mediation — steps that often spare the family the stress and expense of a contested hearing. When litigation is necessary, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear in the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court or the Chesapeake Circuit Court to present the parent’s position. They rely on their experience in Virginia family law to cross-examine witnesses, introduce relevant evidence, and argue the statutory factors before the judge. Throughout the process, the focus remains on crafting a parenting-time arrangement that the child can adjust to and that both parents can follow.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris is Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., a firm practicing since 1997. He is a former prosecutor who now represents individuals in family-law matters across Virginia and four other jurisdictions. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His experience includes representing parents in contested custody and visitation disputes, and he testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
Mr. Sris is supported by a team of Of Counsel attorneys who bring additional experience in family law, including knowledge of Chesapeake court procedures. Together, they provide clients with thorough preparation and representation in parenting-time cases. To schedule a consultation with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, call (888) 437-7747.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is parenting time determined in Chesapeake, Virginia?
Parenting time — also called visitation — is determined by a Chesapeake court based on the best interests of the child. The judge applies the ten factors listed in Va. Code § 20-124.3, which evaluate the child’s age, health, relationships, and each parent’s willingness to foster a relationship with the other parent. The court may also consider the child’s preference if the child is of sufficient age and maturity. Parenting-time schedules can be negotiated by the parents and then submitted to the court for approval, or the judge will decide after a contested hearing.
What factors does the court consider when deciding parenting time?
Virginia courts consider the ten best-interest factors in Va. Code § 20-124.3. These factors include the child’s physical and mental condition, the parent’s ability to provide for the child’s needs, the relationship between child and each parent, each parent’s history of involvement in the child’s life, and any history of abuse. The court also looks at whether each parent is willing to cooperate and support the child’s relationship with the other parent. The analysis is individualized — the court weighs the factors based on the specific facts of the family.
Can a parenting time order be changed in Chesapeake?
Yes. A parent can ask the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court or the Chesapeake Circuit Court to modify a parenting-time order when circumstances have materially changed and the modification serves the child’s best interests. Common reasons include a parent’s relocation, a change in the child’s school schedule, or a change in a parent’s work hours. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle modification petitions, presenting evidence to show why the proposed change benefits the child. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How does relocation affect parenting time in Chesapeake?
When a parent in a custody or visitation case intends to relocate, Virginia Code § 20-124.5 generally requires 30 days’ advance written notice to the court and the other parent. A move—especially one that significantly alters the distance between parents—can prompt a review of the existing parenting-time schedule. The court will evaluate whether the relocation serves the child’s best interests and may adjust parenting time to accommodate the new circumstances. Parents planning a relocation should seek legal advice early to understand how the move could affect their parenting-time rights.
Do I need a lawyer for parenting time matters in Chesapeake?
While no law requires a parent to hire a lawyer, parenting-time proceedings can be legally complex, and the outcome directly affects the parent-child relationship. An experienced attorney can help present the relevant facts under the statutory best-interest factors, negotiate a schedule that works for the family, and represent the parent in court if the matter cannot be resolved by agreement. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Our Family Law Services in Other Virginia Locations
We also assist parents with parenting-time and related family-law matters in other Virginia communities:
- Family Law Lawyer Fairfax County
- Family Law Lawyer Fairfax City
- Family Law Lawyer Falls Church City
- Family Law Lawyer Prince William County
- Family Law Lawyer Manassas City
Virginia Legal Resources
The following official sources provide additional information about Virginia child-custody and parenting-time law:
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.