Experienced child custody lawyer fredericksburg va and visitation lawyer in Fredericksburg, VA. Shawna L. Stevens PLLC protects parental rights and your child’s best interests. Whether you’re facing a complex custody battle or seeking modifications to an existing order, our firm is here to guide you through every step of the process. We understand the emotional toll that custody disputes can have on families, and we strive to provide compassionate yet assertive legal representation. Our firm also emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration during custody arrangements, as we believe that a cooperative approach often leads to more satisfactory outcomes for all parties involved.
Family Law Services
Child Custody & Visitation Lawyer in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Few legal issues are more emotional or important than decisions involving your children. Working with a child custody lawyer Fredericksburg VA can help protect your parental rights and your child’s long-term well-being.
Serving families across Fredericksburg and nearby communities, including Stafford County and Spotsylvania County.
Shawna L. Stevens
Child Custody and Family Law Attorney • Fredericksburg, VA
How We Help • Virginia Custody Basics • Settlement vs Litigation • FAQs • Contact
How Our Child Custody Lawyer Fredericksburg VA Helps
Custody and visitation decisions affect your child’s daily life and your long-term relationship as a parent. We help you understand your options and develop parenting plans focused on stability and your child’s best interests.
Parenting Plans
Detailed parenting plans covering schedules, holidays, transportation, decision-making, and communication.
Custody & Visitation Agreements
Negotiated agreements designed to protect your parental role while supporting consistency for your child.
Modification & Enforcement
Assistance with custody modifications and enforcement when court orders are not followed.
Prepared Litigation Support
Focused litigation support when custody disputes cannot be resolved through agreement.
Custody Issues We Commonly Handle
Custody Determinations
Legal and physical custody decisions focused on stability and the child’s best interests.
Visitation & Parenting Time
Schedules, holiday planning, transportation details, and consistency across households.
Parenting Plans
Creating and revising parenting plans to reduce conflict and set clear expectations.
Relocation Disputes
Move-away and relocation issues that can impact parenting time and school arrangements.
Decision-Making Conflicts
Disagreements involving education, medical care, and major child-related decisions.
Modification & Enforcement
Helping when circumstances change or when custody and visitation orders are not followed.
Virginia Custody Basics: Legal vs. Physical Custody
Virginia recognizes both legal and physical custody. Legal custody addresses decision-making authority, while physical custody determines where the child resides.
If you are searching for a child custody lawyer Fredericksburg VA, understanding these custody categories is a helpful starting point.
Courts evaluate custody using the factors outlined in Virginia Code § 20-124.3 .
Legal Custody
Authority to make important decisions regarding education, healthcare, and upbringing.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives and how parenting time is divided.
Important Child Custody Considerations in Fredericksburg
More Than a Schedule
Child custody matters often involve more than determining a schedule. Parents may face disputes over communication, education decisions, medical care, extracurricular activities, or changes in employment that affect parenting time.
Clarity and Stability
Even when parents are able to cooperate, informal agreements can create uncertainty. A formal custody and visitation order provides clarity, consistency, and enforceability, helping protect the child’s stability.
Guidance Tailored to Your Situation
Whether custody is addressed during a divorce, between unmarried parents, or through a modification, careful legal guidance is essential. We help clients understand how Virginia custody laws may apply to their circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody
How is child custody decided in Virginia?
Courts apply the best interests of the child standard and evaluate statutory factors.
Can custody be modified?
Yes, when a material change in circumstances affects the child’s best interests.
Speak With a Fredericksburg Child Custody Lawyer
Contact Shawna L. Stevens PLLC to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss your custody concerns. If you need a child custody lawyer Fredericksburg VA, we are here to help.