Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court: 10 Things Every Parent Should Know Before Your First Hearing

Walking into your first hearing at Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court can feel overwhelming. Whether you're dealing with child custody, support, or visitation issues, understanding what to expect can make all the difference in how effectively you advocate for your family's needs.

The Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court handles thousands of family cases each year, and while every situation is unique, there are essential preparation steps that can help you navigate this process with confidence. Here's what you need to know before your first hearing.

1. Understand What the Court Actually Handles

Virginia Beach's Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court has specific jurisdiction over family matters that directly affect children. This includes child support calculations and modifications, custody arrangements, visitation schedules, establishing parentage, and addressing family offense issues.

The court can establish various custody arrangements including sole custody (where one parent has primary physical and legal custody), joint custody (shared decision-making), and split custody (where siblings live with different parents). Understanding which type of arrangement might work best for your family situation helps you prepare more targeted arguments for your case.

If you're unmarried parents, your custody case begins by filing a petition in the court services unit or intake office of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in the city where your child currently lives.

2. Learn Virginia's "Best Interests of the Child" Factors

Virginia judges don't make custody and visitation decisions based on personal preference or outdated gender assumptions. Instead, they're required to evaluate specific statutory factors that focus entirely on what serves your child's best interests.

These factors include your child's age and physical and mental condition, the existing relationship between each parent and child, each parent's role in the child's upbringing and care, your child's reasonable preferences (if they're old enough to express them meaningfully), and each parent's ability to support the child's relationship with the other parent.

The court also considers each parent's willingness to maintain close and continuing relationships with the child, any history of family abuse or sexual abuse, and each parent's ability to meet the child's emotional, intellectual, and physical needs. Understanding these factors helps you gather relevant evidence and present testimony that directly addresses what the judge will be evaluating.

3. Gather and Submit Required Documentation Early

Documentation requirements can make or break your case, and Virginia Beach's Juvenile Court has specific submission procedures you need to follow. You'll need to provide documentation of your income, daycare expenses, and insurance coverage.

All requested documentation should be faxed to the Virginia Beach Juvenile Court at 757-385-5683. If you have a Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) case, you'll also need to fax documentation to DCSE at 804-819-7121. Make sure to include your case number, full name, and contact information on your cover letter.

The key is submitting everything well before your hearing date. Last-minute document submissions can delay proceedings and may not be considered by the judge, potentially weakening your case.

4. Complete Required Parenting Education

Virginia courts typically require parents involved in custody cases to attend approved parenting education. This isn't punishment: it's recognition that co-parenting after separation or divorce requires new skills that benefit your children.

You can satisfy this requirement by attending an approved webinar listed on the Virginia Supreme Court's website. These programs cover topics like helping children cope with divorce, effective co-parenting communication, and reducing conflict for your children's benefit.

Completing this requirement before your hearing demonstrates to the court that you're taking your parental responsibilities seriously and are committed to learning tools that benefit your children.

5. Dress and Act Professionally

Your appearance and demeanor in court send powerful messages about how seriously you take the proceedings and your role as a parent. Dress professionally: think business attire rather than casual clothes. This shows respect for the court and demonstrates that you understand the gravity of the decisions being made.

Arrive early to allow time for parking, security screening, and locating the correct courtroom. Virginia Beach's courthouse can be busy, and you don't want to start your hearing feeling rushed or stressed because you couldn't find parking or got lost.

During proceedings, maintain professional behavior when interacting with the judge, court staff, and even the other parent. The judge is observing how you handle stress and conflict, which provides insight into your parenting abilities.

6. Be Completely Honest About Everything

Honesty forms the foundation of effective legal representation and credible testimony. Never lie to the court about anything, no matter how embarrassing or potentially damaging the truth might seem. Dishonesty destroys your credibility not just regarding the specific lie, but for all your testimony.

This means being honest with your attorney about everything relevant to your case: past arrests, financial difficulties, job problems, relationship issues, or anything else that might seem embarrassing or concerning. Your attorney can only effectively represent you when they have complete, truthful information about your situation.

Write down everything you think might be relevant before meeting with your attorney. This includes both positive and negative aspects of your situation, so your legal team can develop the strongest possible strategy for your case.

7. Understand Hearing Procedures and Expectations

Hearings are formal court sessions where you and the other parent present information to a judge who makes decisions about your case. These aren't informal discussions: they're legal proceedings with specific rules and procedures.

During hearings, you may address temporary issues while your case is pending, finalize settlement agreements you've reached with the other parent, or request enforcement or modification of existing court orders. If you can't reach a complete settlement agreement, the judge will issue final orders after a trial where both sides present their full cases.

These sessions typically result in court orders covering custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, child support obligations, required evaluations, or mandatory mediation. Understanding that these are formal legal proceedings helps you prepare appropriately.

8. Know Your Court's Specific Technology Options

Virginia Beach offers various hearing formats, including WebEx remote hearings for certain proceedings. If you request a WebEx hearing and it's approved, you'll receive an email with a green "JOIN MEETING" button to click at the appropriate time.

Keep in mind that multiple cases may be scheduled simultaneously, so you may need to wait for the judge to call your specific case. Have your picture identification ready, as you'll need to show it to court personnel when you're sworn in for testimony.

If you're participating remotely, test your technology beforehand and ensure you have a quiet, private location with reliable internet connection. Technical difficulties during your hearing can create unnecessary complications.

9. Prepare Evidence That Addresses Best Interest Factors

Your case presentation should directly address how your proposed custody arrangement serves your child's best interests under Virginia's statutory factors. This means organizing evidence that demonstrates your active involvement in your child's life, your ability to meet their emotional, intellectual, and physical needs, and your commitment to stability.

Gather evidence showing your participation in your child's education, healthcare, extracurricular activities, and daily care. Document your living situation's stability and appropriateness for your child. If relevant, prepare evidence showing your willingness to support your child's relationship with the other parent when it's safe and appropriate.

Consider how each piece of evidence directly relates to the best interest factors. Generic statements about being a "good parent" are less compelling than specific examples showing how you meet your child's documented needs.

10. Understand Potential Court Appointments and Requirements

The court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to represent your child's best interests independently. This person investigates your family situation and makes recommendations to the judge. Their report carries significant weight, so cooperation with the GAL process is essential.

You should also be prepared for potential orders requiring family counseling, co-parenting classes, psychological evaluations, or substance abuse assessments. These aren't necessarily punitive: they're tools the court uses to gather information needed for informed decision-making about your child's welfare.

Having your picture identification ready is crucial, as court personnel will need to verify your identity before you can provide sworn testimony. This seems minor, but being prepared for these procedural requirements helps everything run smoothly.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Preparing for your first hearing at Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court requires attention to detail, honest self-assessment, and focus on your child's best interests. While the legal process can feel intimidating, understanding these key elements empowers you to advocate effectively for your family.

Remember that this hearing is one step in a process designed to create stable, healthy arrangements for your children. Your thorough preparation demonstrates your commitment to being an effective parent and helps the court make informed decisions that truly serve your child's best interests.

If you're preparing for a custody hearing and need experienced legal guidance, consider reaching out to qualified family law attorneys who understand Virginia Beach's specific court procedures and can help you present your strongest case.