Child Custody, Support & Visitation Attorney in Charlottesville, Virginia
Children need stability in their lives; they suffer when bounced around like a ping pong ball. When one parent has selfishly disrupted that stability, we can help you accomplish what’s in the best interest of your children. We also understand that both parents have financial responsibilities to their children. We know how to fight on behalf of you and your children to ensure those responsibilities are met by the other side. We want to help. Call us.
Lynn A. Bradley – Divorce, Family Law, and Collaborative Law Attorney
Testimonials:
“I don’t think there are words to adequately convey how deeply I appreciate all that you [Lynn Bradley] have done for me over the years. The attention and care that you put into my case was exceptional. I think the really remarkable thing is that you always made me feel as though I was your only client. I could always count on you to respond quickly to every question, phone call or email. That level of service is extremely rare, and I cannot thank you enough. I am humbly and truly grateful for all that you have done for me.”
“I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for your [Lynn Bradley] help and guidance through this difficult time in my life. Although I cannot find enough words or ways to thank you, it is reassuring to know that there are good people like you in this world that are willing to help others. I will always remember and be thankful for what you did for me.”
“I retained Lynn Bradley as my divorce attorney approximately seven years ago. My case was a complex one. Lynn did not allow the complexities and many details to be covered to bog her down in any way. She was very detail-oriented, extremely organized and pleasant in all her dealings with me. A very confident attorney, she represented me in a highly professional manner and assisted me in achieving my goals in the case. Lynn Bradley is an honest, diligent and successful attorney.”
“I chose Lynn for my collaborative divorce process. Previous to contacting her I was using a traditional adversarial approach and was getting nowhere and draining my bank account. Working with Lynn was like a breath of fresh air in a very stressful and confusing time. She was able to move a process along that had been stalled and my ex and I were able to finally reach an agreement which we signed in her office. I would highly recommend her.”
“It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to review an attorney as exceptional as Lynn Bradley. The time and care that she put into my case was exceptional, particularly given its length and breadth. Even with carrying a full case load, she always made me feel as though I was her most important client. As for her organization skills, she is extremely detail-oriented and a quick-study, which was no small feat given the intricacies of my case. When I asked questions, I always found that she was knowledgeable, frank and truthful. I could always count on Lynn or her staff to keep me informed as to happenings with my case and to be responsive to my queries. On a personal level, I always found Lynn to be extremely compassionate and genuinely concerned about my needs. Lynn helped me to navigate what had been an extremely stressful and even painful case…she is always pleasant in all her dealings. I was proud to have Lynn represent me and I always felt extremely confident in her abilities and in her professionalism. Lynn is an excellent attorney and I highly recommend her.”
Contact us today for an Initial Consultation. It’s the first step toward putting your life back together.
Seven frequently asked questions about VA child custody, support and visitation cases:
1. Do I need an attorney for a family law proceeding?
Although it is possible to represent yourself in family court, it is not advisable in the vast majority of cases. Should you choose to represent yourself, the court cannot assist you with your case. You are held to the same requirements as the other party’s attorney. If you mishandle your case due to lack of knowledge or skill, an attorney may have difficulty reversing your mistakes.
2. What are some useful guidelines for parents?
Assure and re-assure your children that they are not to blame for the breakup and that they are not being rejected or abandoned. Children, especially young ones, often mistakenly feel that they have done something wrong and believe that the problems in the family are the result of their own misdeeds.
Giving a child the false belief that the child is the decision maker in matters of custody or visitation is not only unfair to the child, but a serious misrepresentation of the law. Judges will try to take the true wishes of an older child into account as one factor, but the only decision maker is the judge.
Try not to upset a child’s routine too abruptly. Children need a sense of continuity. It is disturbing to them if they must cope with too many changes at once. Maintain consistent parenting.
3. Who receives custody of the children?
This is the crucial issue in most divorces. In determining the custody of minor children, the court is guided by one standard, the best interest of the child. The court may award “joint legal custody” where both parents have a role in making decisions for the child, or “sole legal custody” where one parent is ultimately responsible for making decisions in the child’s best interest. Custody will not be given to a parent as a reward or deprived from a parent as a punishment.
4. What are some of the child support obligations?
Normally the party receiving visitation will be called upon to contribute to the support of the minor child. This could be an obligation of the mother, the father, or both, if a third person has custody of the child. The court is guided by the needs of the child and the ability of the supporting parent or parents to pay.
The use of the state child support guidelines provides an amount of child support that is presumed to be correct, but the court may deviate from these guidelines in appropriate circumstances. The award is subject to change so long as the obligation to support remains. The child support amount may be increased or decreased if a material change occurs in the circumstances of either or both of the parents or of the child.
5. Who determines child visitation issues?
The court determines custody schedules based on the best interest of the child. The schedule will normally give both parents frequent and continuing contact unless something different is warranted. Normally, a parent who is relocating must give 30 days advance written notice to the court and other parent.
6. What is required to obtain modification to a court order?
Usually a parent seeking modification to a court order has the burden of proving first, a change in circumstances has occurred since the last order was entered, and second, that a change in custody or visitation would be in the best interests of the child. Normally the parent must give the court and other party written notice of their intended relocation and new address 30 days prior to the move. The court will make a determination based on multiple factors. If the parent moves without the proper notifications, there could be trouble.
7. What is your fee structure?
We handle cases on a flat fee or hourly basis depending on the complexity of your case. We offer initial consultations at a reduced hourly rate. At the end of the consultation, we can determine the appropriate fee structure for your case, and you can evaluate our services and decide if you want to hire us. We accept all major credit cards to assist with payment.
Your Next Step:
Contact us today – We’re ready to help.
We have three offices conveniently located in Charlottesville, Palmyra (Across from Food Lion), and Harrisonburg, Virginia.
