Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly

Grandparents’ objections to an order terminating a father’s parental rights and an adoption order came too late, and their motion for permission to review the adoption file was properly denied by the court for confidentiality reasons. Background The Middlesex Department ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Wesley G. Russell Jr. Virginia Court of Appeals

A father’s assault and battery of his child’s mother constituted a material change of circumstance that justified review of a custody and visitation order, even though the charges could be dismissed if he complied with certain conditions. Background Prior to ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Teresa M. Chafin Virginia Court of Appeals

A mother released from prison who tried to establish a relationship with her daughter will get a new trial because the court focused on the length of their separation and did not properly consider other visitation and custody factors in ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Per Curiam Opinion Virginia Court of Appeals

Because neither parent consented to an adoption, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations court did not have subject matter jurisdiction to address whether the father’s consent was withheld contrary to the best interests of the child. Any adoption must therefore originate ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge William G. Petty Virginia Court of Appeals

Where a husband failed to establish that there was “gross disparity” in the distribution of marital assets, that his wife exerted oppressive influence over the process, or that the judge acted improperly, the court found the couple’s separation agreement was ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. Virginia Court of Appeals

The court found a trial judge did not err in withdrawing the appeals of a mother who challenged the court’s termination of her parental rights and approval of adoption for her child after she failed to show up for a ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Per Curiam Opinion Virginia Court of Appeals

Once the court bifurcated a couple’s divorce and equitable distribution cases, the husband’s death during the process of dividing marital assets did not deprive the court of jurisdiction or the ability to distribute property fairly and equitably. Background On March ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge William G. Petty Virginia Court of Appeals

Where a woman who failed to appear for three medical evaluations, the commission could terminated her weekly benefits. Background In June 2014, appellant sustained a compensable injury and was awarded $588.21 in weekly benefits. In early February 2016, appellant’s physician ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. Virginia Court of Appeals

Despite allegations that a mother was a poor driver and exhibited poor judgment, a father could not demonstrate that their child should be included in a protective order prohibiting contact. Background Father and mother were married on May 16, 2015, ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Randolph A. Beales Virginia Court of Appeals

Where a wife argued she was entitled to support, based on an I-864 support affidavit, the trial court did not err in denying support because the affidavit was not admitted into evidence. Background Husband and wife married on Aug. 15, ...

Tagged with: Domestic Relations Judge Randolph A. Beales Virginia Court of Appeals