Top
Child Custody & Visitation

Helping You & Your Family Move Forward

Fairfax Child Custody Lawyer

Experienced Child Custody Attorney Serving Fairfax County, Virginia

Child custody issues can arise when children are caught in a divorce and born to unmarried parents. These problems are among the most contested aspects of divorces, separations, and other family law disputes.

Regardless of the specific circumstances, a child custody attorney in Fairfax County can help you protect your rights and ensure your children’s best interests are considered. There are many reasons why you need a Fairfax child custody attorney. For example, you and your spouse may not have agreed on who will have primary custody of your children, or you may be concerned that your ex-partner may try to relocate with your children without your consent.

One of the very experienced family law attorneys at Keithley Law, PLLC, can help you resolve your child custody and visitation issues. With more than 25 years of combined Virginia family law experience, you can rely on our Fairfax child custody lawyers to protect your legal rights and work to resolve your dispute as painlessly as possible.

To Learn More About How Our Law Firm Can Help with Your Child Custody Matters, Contact Us Online or Call the Fairfax Child Custody Lawyers Today at (703) 454-5147.

How Is Child Custody Determined in Virginia?

Below are some important things to keep in mind if you are fighting for child custody in Virginia:

  • You have an equal right to visitation with your child in the absence of a court order. Each parent has a legal right to spend time with a minor child. In other words, you can’t "kidnap" your own child if there is no written court order for visitation and custody.
  • There is no maternal or paternal preference in Virginia for child custody.
  • Virginia distinguishes between legal and physical custody. Legal custody is the ability to make decisions regarding your child’s upbringing. Physical custody is the right to spend parenting time with your child. You can have sole or joint legal custody and sole or joint physical custody.
  • Your duty to support your child is separate and distinct from your right to spend time with your child. Thus, if you fail to financially support your child, the child’s other parent cannot withhold visitation solely on this basis. However, the child’s other parent can sue you for nonpayment of child support and require you to show cause as to why a court should not find you in contempt of a prior court order.
  • Active service members have special rights under Virginia law, including rights under legislation passed in 2011.
  • Anyone with a “legitimate interest” in your child’s well-being can file for visitation or custody of your child.

In Virginia, determining child custody involves evaluating various factors aimed at promoting the child's best interests. The court examines the abilities of each parent to provide for the child’s emotional and physical needs. This includes past parental involvements, such as who primarily handled day-to-day childcare tasks. How each parent plans to support their child's ongoing development is also crucial. Furthermore, the court may consider any efforts made by a parent to leverage the child custody situation to manipulate or alienate the other parent. These factors collectively influence how custody is determined and how responsibilities and time are allocated. For any questions, feel free to contact our experienced Fairfax child custody attorney.

The Opinions That Matter

See What Our Clients Have to Say
    If I could extend a rating beyond the maximum of 5 stars, I would gladly do so.
    “If I could extend a rating beyond the maximum of 5 stars, I would gladly do so. Following my initial consultation with Ms. Soo, I engaged the legal services of Ms. Dawn, both of whom exhibit a remarkable depth of expertise within the realm of family law. Over the past year, their collective commitment to securing a fair and equitable custody agreement has endowed me with a profound understanding of Virginia's custody laws.

    Ms. Dawn has consistently demonstrated unwavering dedication to my case, ensuring seamless guidance from its inception to its resolution. Her responsiveness to my legal inquiries has been exceptional, often addressing them with remarkable promptness. Simultaneously, Ms. Soo has remained well-versed in the particulars of my case, delivering unparalleled representation within the courtroom.

    I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude for facilitating a safe and harmonious environment for my daughter. While it is customary for negotiations to leave parties with varying degrees of satisfaction, I firmly believe that the outcome achieved could not have been more favorable. Thank you immensely for your invaluable assistance!”
    - Jamius V.
    Thank you so much for sharing your information on the internet.
    “Thank you so much for sharing your information on the internet. I have been with the same man for 35 years - high school sweethearts. I have tried so hard for so long, and slowly over the past year and a half, I was doing what your site recommends - taking time during the silence to read, journal, reflect and work on myself. THEN I found your page "Narcissism, Stonewalling, & Ghosting". THANK YOU so much for sharing the details you've gleaned over your career and compiling them in such a clear, concise manner! This page describes my relationship to a T! Your site pulls together all the signs, and symptoms I have been slowly connecting, but with your help, I now have a better description of the personality I'm married to.”
    - Anonymous
    Saving Grace!

    Gentle pacing when needed. Patience and excellent listening skills have really been a saving grace.

    - Former Client
    Thank you so much for your kindness and wonderful guidance through difficult times.

    Dawn and Soo are great attorneys who give you support, empathy, prompt advice with experience and knowledge. Customer service from the office is also superb. Thank you so much for your kindness and wonderful guidance through difficult times.

    - Former Client
    I am very happy that Mr. Thompson took the time to hear my "elevator pitch" and chronology about what my issues were without interruption or tangential questions.

    I am very happy that Mr. Thompson took the time to hear my "elevator pitch" and chronology about what my issues were without interruption or tangential questions. He further demonstrated that he is very detail-oriented and made some very good points I hadn't considered with my case.

    - Former Client
    I felt the attorney had useful knowledge of the Virginia Landlord tenant law.

    I felt the attorney had useful knowledge of the Virginia Landlord tenant law. He was able to help me decide which path might be the best to take, given many clear options. Thanks!

    - Former Client
    All were very professional yet very friendly where this can be a very hard mix to find in lawyers this firm had an impressive dynamic.

    Soo Keithley and Dawn Rogan-Titus were an inspiration to me as they helped direct me through the divorce procedure. They both knew how to handle a controversial divorce and guided me in the process of what to expect. Divorce is a very emotional time for anyone and to know that your lawyer will do anything to help you is refreshing. They were always honest and upfront with my questions even if the answer was not what I wanted to hear. Their legal team worked well together and complemented each other. All were very professional yet very friendly where this can be a very hard mix to find in lawyers this firm had an impressive dynamic. Thank you to Soo, Dawn, and your team for helping me through this excruciating time in my life.

    - Former Client
    Gave me helpful advice!

    The attorney was frank and gave me helpful advice.

    Took the time to answer my questions!

    I just met with Henry Thompson II, who helped me think through my complex and highly emotional family law case. He gave me helpful advice and took the time to answer my questions as well. When the consultation appointment ended, I felt like I had a good sense of how to proceed, both practically and as far as my mindset. Thank you very much! My case is one that shows that it's better to retain legal counsel early in the process rather than waiting year after year to pass.

    - Hope G.

Why Choose Keithley Law, PLLC?

  • We Are Prompt & Responsive
  • We Listen to Your Concerns
  • We Are Transparent & Honest
  • We Find Creative Solutions

You Are Not Alone, Reach Out for Help Today.

Call Today to Schedule a Consultation
  • By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Keithley Law, PLLC at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy