带着孩子离开弗吉尼亚州时要考虑的监护权问题
There are many circumstances to consider when moving to another state or country. 举几个例子, 婚姻, 学校, 照顾孩子的问题, 与大家庭的联系, 以及新的工作或商业机会, 所有重要的人生决定都需要考虑吗. 然而, the decision becomes more complicated when the moving party is a child’s custodial parent. The move may substantially impact the child’s relationship with the other parent, mainly due to the physical distance between the child and the other parent and its impact on the parenting time or visitation schedules.
While no Virginia statutes specifically address the relocation of a custodial parent, 弗吉尼亚州法院将搬迁案件视为监护/探视案件. It is important to understand that relocation cases may present a different structure than typical initial custody/visitation petitions.
儿童的最大利益
搬家的案例从来不是搬家对搬家的父母有什么好处. 而不是, Virginia courts have held that “the welfare of the children is of primary and paramount importance” as to a court’s decision regarding relocating the children.[1] 监护案件总是以孩子的最大利益为中心(“BIC”). 因此，要求搬迁的一方必须表明搬迁的方式 独立 让孩子受益. 值得庆幸的是，弗吉尼亚州的法律对BIC因素给出了指导. Virginia courts are required to analyze the circumstances under these ten factors as listed under Va. 法典第20-124条.3. 10个BIC因素包括:
- 儿童的年龄和身心状况, 适当考虑儿童不断变化的发展需要;
- 父母双方的年龄和身心状况;
- 每个家长和每个孩子之间存在的关系, 适当考虑对儿童生活的积极参与, 准确评估和满足情感的能力, 知识, 孩子的生理需求;
- 孩子的需要, 对孩子的其他重要关系给予应有的考虑, 包括但不限于兄弟姐妹, 同行, 以及大家庭成员;
- 每一位父母所扮演的角色，以及将来将扮演的角色, 在抚养和照顾孩子方面;
- The propensity of each parent to actively support the child's contact and relationship with the other parent, including whether a parent has unreasonably denied the other parent access to or visitation with the child;
- The relative willingness and demonstrated ability of each parent to maintain a close and continuing relationship with the child, and the ability of each parent to cooperate in and resolve disputes regarding matters affecting the child;
- The reasonable preference of the child (if the court deems the child to be of reasonable intelligence, 理解, 年龄, 和经验来表达这样的偏好);
- Any history of (i) family abuse; (ii) sexual abuse; (iii) child abuse; or (iv) an act of violence, 力, or threat that results in bodily injury or places one in reasonable apprehension of death, 性侵犯, 或者身体伤害, that occurred no earlier than 10 years prior to the date a petition is filed; and
- Such other factors as the court deems necessary and proper to the determination.
作为BIC分析的一部分, the court will also consider how the relocation would substantially impact or impair the other parent’s relationship with the child. 然而, 仅仅因为父母目前有共同或共同监护的协议, a Virginia court will not at the onset presume that the relocation will harm the other parent’s relationship with the child.
情况的重大变化
如果之前有弗吉尼亚法院签发的监护/探视令, the custodial parent wanting to move outside Virginia with the minor child must show that a material change in circumstances has occurred since the last custody award, 因为这样的家长实际上是在寻求改变秩序. 在弗吉尼亚州. 法典第20-108条, a court will look at factual circumstances to determine on a case-by-case basis whether there has been a material change in circumstances since the last court order, and whether the party seeking relocation has met the burden to prove this condition.
If a court determines that the relocation is not in the independent best interests of the children, 那么法院将驳回搬迁请求. 因此, the court has jurisdiction to order the child to be returned to Virginia and to give the other parent primary physical custody of the child. 因此, a relocation case has the possibility of dramatically changing the current custody/visitation order.
What if the other parent Already Moved Outside of Virginia with The Child before An Objection to Such Relocation Was Made?
Virginia courts may retroactively approve a move or order a change in custody after an unapproved relocation has taken place. 在听证会上, the court’s issue is to determine whether in fact the relocation would 独立 让孩子受益.
然而, custodial parents who make an unapproved relocation should be aware of the requirement of Va. 法典第20-124条.5，说明是否有监护/探视令, then such order requires any party intending to relocate to give 30 days’ advance written notice to the court and the other party about the intent to relocate and the intended change of address. This is required by Virginia law and this requirement can only be excused by the court based on good cause shown. 换句话说, the party making an unapproved relocation with the child may be found in violation of a court order if required notices are not timely delivered to the other parent and the court.
Whether you are a custodial parent wanting to move outside of Virginia with your child or whether you are a noncustodial parent who received notification of the other parent’s intent to move or of the actual move that has taken place, consulting a family law attorney can help you navigate relocation custody cases.
罗熙全 是一个皇冠搏彩APP下载 & 科沃德律师专注于家庭法和移民事务.
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