Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

EX lives in Delaware I live in Virginia and ex wants sole custody

I live in Virginaia and my ex lives in Delaware with the children and she wants sole custody of the children. I pay $800 a month and cannot afford a good car to pick the children up. Support takes over 50% of my net income and I have no money for a lawyer. How can I find a lawyer that handles Delaware and Virginia laws. I have not seen my children in 10 months. She lives with her uncle,boyfriend and the 2 childen in a 3 bedroom trailor. She had them living at he boyfriends one bedroom and the kids were sleeping on a mattress together! They are a girl 12 ad a boy 13. I have no way of proving it. I think theymight be sharing a room at this place too, I am not sure. I wan to retain joint custody of the children and I'd like visitation set up for me. Someone please help. Thank you.


Asked on 12/02/01, 3:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lisa Lane McDevitt McDevitt Law Office

Re: EX lives in Delaware I live in Virginia and ex wants sole custody

First, did you post this question to both VA and DE lawyers? Make sure you posted it to DE because if the kids have lived there for at least 6 months then that is the jurisdiction where you need to get an attorney.

Next contact the circuit court in the DE county where the children live. Explain the situation and ask if they provide legal services to those that cannot afford a lawyer. Many jurisdictions have attorneys that will provide legal help PRO BONO (which means for free) and others will provide it at a substantial discount. Some courts have lawyers on staff that will help you for free with the papers that you need to file but will not appear in court with you. I am not admitted in DE so I cannot advise you of the law there nor am I aware of the services they provide to those that cannot afford a lawyer, but do contact that courthouse and ask them what services they provide. You may also want to contact the County Bar Association in that county to see if they provide any of the services I've just mentioned.

Good luck to you!

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Answered on 12/03/01, 12:40 pm


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