If I have a court ordered obligation for spousal support or child support, can I have a binding verbal agreement to modify the amount without changing the order?
No. It is not unusual for parties to agree to changes in the court ordered support contributions after a significant change in circumstances. However, the law requires that there be a modification of the court order for these changes to be enforceable. This can often be done by consent orders, but failure to enter an order changing the amount could lead to enforcement of arrearages form the earlier order. In child custody cases, are there legal preferences in favor of mothers or fathers? No. The guiding principal in child custody cases is the best interests of the child. Each of the parents is presumed to have equal standing as the court examines the evidence related to the best interest analysis of each unique case. At what age does a child have the ability to legally determine a preferred parent for his/her principal residence? Under Virginia law children under the age of 18 are not able to decide their own legal custody issues. Depending on the age and maturity of the child, a court
