Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia
Im an unmarried mother with a four month old in the state of Virginia. His father and I both signed an acknowlegment of paternity form. We have decided to no longer live together and now his father wants complete control over my son. We have never been to court over custody bc we haven't had to until now. I have an appointment to file for joint custody but that is a week away. Can the father take my son from me?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Better get an attorney to represent you in this matter (if at all possible).
Filing for joint custody under these circumstances may not be your best move
in this situation; sole custody to you with reasonable visitation to the father but only after paternity has been formally established by the court may make better
sense under the circumstances which you've described.
I would suggest you amend the petition to sole custody based on information you gave me. But at this point, I do not have enough facts to make an informed decision. Good luck. Sheryl Shane, Attorney at Law. Web: www.sherylshanelaw.com.