Determining the Best Interests of the Child - Virginia

Guiding Principles

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Best Interests Factors

Citation: Ann. Code § 20-124.3

In determining the best interests of a child for purposes of determining custody or visitation arrangements, the court shall consider the following:

• The age and physical and mental condition of the child, giving due consideration to the child's changing developmental needs
• The age and physical and mental condition of each parent
• The relationship existing between each parent and each child, giving due consideration to the positive involvement with the child's life and the ability to accurately assess and meet the emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of the child
• The needs of the child, giving due consideration to other important relationships of the child, including, but not limited to, siblings, peers, and extended family members
• The role that each parent has played and will play in the future in the upbringing and care of the child
• 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, understanding, age, and experience to express such a preference
• Any history of (i) family abuse, as that term is defined in § 16.1-228; (ii) sexual abuse; (iii) child abuse; or (iv) an act of violence, force, or threat, as defined in § 19.2-152.7:1, which occurred no earlier than 10 years prior to the date a petition is filed
• Such other factors as the court deems necessary and proper to the determination

Other Considerations

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.