Problems With Your Child’s Step-Parent? When To Request Child Custody Modifications In Virginia

Stepparents were once depicted negatively in movies, books, and other media. As blended families become the norm, the attitude towards them has changed. Stepparents have the potential to bring additional love and positivity into a child’s life, but there are cases where their actions can be detrimental, posing a threat to your child’s well-being and your relationship with them. Our child custody lawyer explains when it may be necessary to seek legal intervention.

Problems With Stepparents That Put Children At Risk

Child custody arrangements determine each party’s rights and responsibilities when a couple gets divorced through the Loudoun County Courts and in cases involving single parents. Child time-sharing arrangements, negotiated through parenting plans, are often encouraged, as they allow both parents to remain active and involved in their child’s life.

Implementing a child custody agreement is rarely easy, but it can be particularly challenging once there is a stepparent involved. While your former partner has every right to move on with their life, it can prove detrimental when they choose a partner who behaves in ways that puts your child at risk. Common problems that can arise include:

• The stepparent treats your child differently than other children in the home;
• They badmouth you to your child;
• They fail to provide or support their partner in providing for the child’s needs;
• There is significant fighting in their home;
• They subject your child to physical or emotional abuse.

Requesting Child Custody Modifications In Loudoun County

Once a child custody order is put in place through the Virginia court, both parents are legally required to follow it. Failure to do so could jeopardize your parental rights. However, if you have genuine concerns about your child’s safety and fear the stepparent’s behavior poses significant risks, notify the police immediately, then reach out to our Loudoun County child custody attorney. We can request an emergency hearing to address the issue.

Even if problematic behavior on the part of a stepparent is more subtle, you may still be able to request child custody modifications under the Virginia Code. This is generally an option when circumstances surrounding a child custody order have substantially changed. Potential outcomes may include:

• Limiting the amount of time the child spends in the other parent’s home;
• Limiting the legal authority of the stepparent in making decisions that impact the child;
• Requiring supervised visitation;
• Suspending visits pending parenting classes and other behavior modification.

Request A Consultation With Our Child Support Attorney Today 

When it comes to your child, you want to do everything you can to protect them. Once a child custody order is in place, you are legally required to follow it. However, when a stepparent engages in problematic behavior that puts your child at risk, you may be able to request modifications.

At Schwartz Kalina, PLLC, our experienced Virginia divorce attorney provides the caring support and trusted legal guidance needed in this situation. Call or contact us online and request a consultation today.

Sources:

vacourts.gov/courts/jdr/loudoun/home.html

law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter6/section20-108/