Jurisdiction:
Area of Law:
Family Court - Children Belong With Mothers?
Free Legal Aid provides useful information about child custody. In addition to the video here, be sure you check out other resources.
Child Custody in West Virginia: The Best Interests of the Child
When making decisions about child custody and visitation orders in a divorce or separation, the primary goal of the West Virginia courts is to ensure the orders benefit the child's best interests. This means the court will look at all the circumstances related to the child and each parent before making a custody decision. check to learn more.
Parent's Guide to Child Support
You are reading this handbook because a marriage in which you had children ended, you are separated, or you had a child out-of-wedlock. Even if you are not a spouse nor have ever been one, if you have a child, you will always be a parent. check to learn more.
West Virginia Child Custody Laws
According to West Virginia law, either parent may be awarded custody of the child. Custody awards are not made according to the gender of the parents, although there is a presumption in favor of the parent who has been the primary caretaker of the child. check to learn more.
West Virginia divorce laws are put in place for both the Petitioner and the Respondent to receive a fair divorce. These procedures are all in accordance with West Virginia laws, encompassing alimony, child custody and visitation, child support, and equitable distribution. check to learn more.
In West Virginia, either parent may be ordered to make periodic child support payments and provide health insurance coverage for the child. West Virginia uses the Income Shares Model to determine the amount of child support the noncustodial parent must pay. check to learn more.