Chesapeake Visitation Lawyer

In Chesapeake, Virginia, child visitation rights are determined under Va. Code § 20-124.2 based on the child’s best interests. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 6 documented case results in Chesapeake. A Visitation Lawyer Chesapeake can help you protect your parenting time schedule.

Last verified: April 2026 | Chesapeake General District Court | Va. Code § 20-124.2 (official Virginia General Assembly)

Virginia law defines child visitation as the right of a non-custodial parent to spend time with their child. Under Va. Code § 20-124.2, the court determines visitation based on ten factors that serve the child’s best interests. A child visitation rights lawyer Chesapeake can explain how these factors apply to your case. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, demonstrating deep knowledge of Virginia family law.

Child visitation rights in Virginia are governed by Va. Code § 20-124.2, which requires courts to consider factors such as the child’s age, the parents’ roles, and any history of family abuse. A parenting time schedule lawyer Chesapeake can help you establish a schedule that works for your family. This statute differs from custody laws in that it focuses specifically on the non-custodial parent’s access rights.

For official legal references, consult Va. Code § 20-124.2 (official Virginia General Assembly) and the Chesapeake General District Court website.

In Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, judges routinely order a custody and visitation evaluation in contested cases. This evaluation can take 60-90 days to complete. A Visitation Lawyer Chesapeake can prepare you for this process.

File a petition for visitation at Chesapeake J&DR Court, 307 Albemarle Drive.
Attend mediation if ordered by the court.
Complete a parenting class if required.
Participate in a custody evaluation if ordered.
Attend the final hearing with your evidence prepared.
Receive the court’s visitation order.

In Chesapeake, violation of a visitation order can result in contempt of court with penalties including fines and potential jail time.

Offense	Classification	Incarceration	Fine	License Impact	Additional Consequences
Contempt of Court (Visitation Order)	Civil or Criminal Contempt	Up to 12 months	Up to $2,500	None	Possible modification of visitation rights

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC, with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute. Our advocacy philosophy is “Advocacy Without Borders.”

Samantha Rae Powers — Of Counsel. Bar admissions: Virginia (2023), Florida (2005). J.D./M.A. University of Florida 2005, Ph.D. Communication UCSB 2017. 18+ years of experience. She focuses on family law matters including child visitation and custody.

In Chesapeake, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 6 total documented case results across all practice areas with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Our Richmond location serves clients at Chesapeake courts (307 Albemarle Drive), accessible via I-64, I-464, and I-664. A Visitation Lawyer Chesapeake near the Greenbrier area can help with your parenting time schedule. We serve Chesapeake, Deep Creek, Great Bridge, and Greenbrier communities.

24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.

7400 Beaufont Springs Dr Suite 300 Room 359, Richmond, VA 23225, United States

Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009

By appointment only.

How long does a divorce take in Chesapeake, Virginia?

Uncontested divorce: 2-4 months. Contested divorce: 9-18 months. Complex cases: 12-24 months.

Uncontested divorce with signed separation agreement: 2-4 months from filing to final decree; contested divorce: 9-18 months; complex equitable distribution with business valuation or retirement assets: 12-24 months; pendente lite hearing for temporary support and custody: typically set within 21-60 days of motion. Virginia requires a 6-month separation (no minor children with signed agreement) or 1-year separation (with minor children) before filing no-fault. Chesapeake Circuit Court handles all divorces.

How much does a divorce cost in Chesapeake, Virginia?

Circuit Court filing fee: approximately $86. Additional costs vary by case complexity.

Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86; sheriff service of process: approximately $12; private process server: $50-$100; pendente lite motion: additional court costs; Guardian ad Litem for custody: typically $500-$2,500+; mediation: $100-$300/hour per party. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3). Cases filed at Chesapeake General District Court.

Is Virginia a community property state?

No. Virginia is an equitable distribution state.

No. Virginia is an equitable distribution state — marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily 50/50. The court considers 11 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (personally amended by Mr. Sris). Chesapeake Circuit Court (307 Albemarle Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322) handles all property division. Separate property (pre-marriage, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.

How is child custody decided in Chesapeake, Virginia?

Based on the best interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3.

Custody in Chesapeake is based on the best interests of the child under Va. Code § 20-124.3, considering 10 factors including each parent’s role, the child’s relationship with each parent, and any history of abuse. Chesapeake J&DR Court handles standalone custody. Chesapeake Circuit Court handles custody within divorce cases. 6 total documented case results across all practice areas (100% favorable outcome rate).

What are the grounds for divorce in Virginia?

No-fault: 6-month or 1-year separation. Fault grounds: adultery, cruelty, desertion, felony conviction.

No-fault: 6-month separation (no minor children + signed agreement) or 1-year separation. Fault grounds: adultery (no waiting period), cruelty, desertion (1 year), felony conviction (1+ year imprisonment). Filed at Chesapeake Circuit Court. Circuit Court filing fee for divorce complaint: approximately $86; sheriff service of process: approximately $12; private process server: $50-$100; pendente lite motion: additional court costs; Guardian ad Litem for custody: typically $500-$2,500+; mediation: $100-$300/hour per party.