[VA] Fighting for full custody
recently separated from my child’s mother and am currently seeking primary physical and legal custody of our son. Both my family and the child’s maternal family are supportive of this effort, primarily due to concerns regarding the mother’s ability to provide consistent and adequate care.
The mother has historically provided minimal caregiving, typically no more than approximately one hour per day. I possess text messages in which she explicitly states that she no longer wishes to be a mother and does not want our son in her care because she is unable to meet his needs. Additionally, I have documentation, including screenshots and messages, showing her repeated negative comments about me on social media.
The mother has two upcoming court dates related to violations of an emergency protective order (EPO). She faces potential jail time for these violations. She also has a chronic medical condition requiring regular infusions; failure to manage her own health appropriately further impairs her ability to care for our child, which has been a consistent issue.
Her relevant legal and personal history includes:
- An arrest for domestic violence (charges were later dropped at my request due to concerns about custody implications).
- An arrest following a suicide attempt, which resulted in a psychiatric hold.
- Two arrests for violating the emergency protective order.
She is currently unemployed, has no stable housing, and has no verifiable income.
I am actively consulting with a family law attorney. I would appreciate any additional guidance on steps I should take to strengthen my petition for full custody, including recommendations for documentation, witness preparation, or other evidence that may be beneficial