What are the Challenges of Primary Physical Custody?

When a parent is granted primary physical custody in Virginia, the child lives exclusively with that parent and, in nearly all cases, the other parent has visitation rights that occur on a set schedule.

The custody arrangement-also referred to as sole legal custody-can be beneficial for the child, but it also presents some challenges, which also should be considered as you and your Virginia divorce attorney discuss the possibility of pursuing this type of custody. 

• Your child is likely to miss your estranged spouse. In the aftermath of a divorce, it can be incredibly traumatic for your child to go from living with both parents to only seeing one parent on the weekend or a few times a month. Your child will likely miss having the other parent around and it may create tension between you and your child.
• The primary custodian will have more responsibilities. As the primary custodian, you will no longer be sharing the daily duties of raising and disciplining your child, and you may find it difficult to suddenly be the only one in charge.
• Your spouse may feel like a bad parent. The parent who did not receive primary physical custody may feel like the court was passing judgment on his or her parenting abilities. There is also the possibility that this tension could filter down to your child.  

 
To learn more about primary physical custody in Virginia, read our article Benefits and Challenges of Primary Physical Custody in Virginia.

At this vulnerable time, it's critical that you have exceptional legal representation that not only understands the specifics of your case, but is dedicated to your best interests and that of your family.

The Virginia divorce attorneys at Hofheimer/Ferrebee represent Virginia women who wish to file for divorce. We are committed to fighting for your rights, assisting in child custody disputes, and ensuring that you receive everything you are entitled to and need in order to start your new life. Contact us today to schedule a legal consultation - (757) 425-5200.