Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

I want to terminate!

ANSWER:

Well, no. A parent cannot just "terminate" his/her rights to a child. If this were so, every deadbeat parent would simply state, "I terminate access to my child! No child support!"

Virginia rules are clear -- with very limited exceptions, only a court can remove a parents rights. CPS (child protective services) can suspend a parent's rights during certain investigations. A parent may initiate a suit to determine paternity, but may not otherwise renounce his/her biological child.

As a reminder, custody and time spent with the child(-ren) has a significant impact on child support payments.

Do you have a custody or support question? Give us a call at 703-402-2723.