25 Underskrifter
Andragendet er stilet til: Mayor of Richmond, Virginia Danny Avula
*Recipient change request submitted*
My name is Amanda Jones, a mother from Henrico County, and I’m calling on lawmakers to reform the way custody orders are enforced in our state. Despite having a court-approved joint custody agreement, I’ve been left powerless when the other parent repeatedly withholds my child—without consequence or accountability.
Right now, custody violations are dismissed as “civil matters,” and law enforcement refuses to intervene. Instead, parents are often told to file a Show Cause or request an emergency custody hearing—lengthy processes that delay justice and allow the continued alienation of children from their parent. These steps also require a valid address to serve the other parent, but in many cases, that information is unavailable or the parent is deliberately avoiding service to stall the process. This loophole is not just a legal technicality—it’s a crisis impacting children and families across Virginia.
We urgently need laws that ensure custody orders are enforceable, protect children from emotional abuse and manipulation, and hold parents accountable when they weaponize the system.
Please sign this petition to support legal reform that protects the rights of parents and the well-being of children. No parent should have to fight alone for the right to see their child.
Begrundelse
This is incredibly important because families across Virginia are being torn apart by a legal system that simply fails to enforce custody orders. When one parent refuses to follow a court order and there’s no real accountability, children suffer the most—emotionally, mentally, and developmentally. Families need laws that protect parental rights and prioritize the well-being of children.
Enforcing custody agreements fairly and consistently is not just a legal issue—it’s a matter of protecting families and preventing long-term harm.
Oplysninger om petitionen
Andragende startede:
22.08.2025
Indsamlingen slutter:
22.02.2026
Region:
Richmond
Kategori:
Familie
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Changes to the petition
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Debatter
Hvorfor folk underskriver
Parents should be able to raise their children away from abuse - period. When joint custody is in place but there have been numerous requests for protective orders, emergency custody hearings, etc. - then its imperative that EVERYONE involved - judge, prosecutor, legal aid, etc. - be on the same page and ensure that the children are with the parent who can give them a safe, routine home life instead of dragging them from place to place hiding from the law, not having them attend school, and living life on the run. That is no way for a child to be raised!
I've had family who has gone through this. Its a difficult experience for the child as well as the parent who is being left out of child's life.
I saw the petition and it really resonated with me. I had similar issues with the father of my son before he decided to leave town. Having been through that process as a mother who wanted to protect her child I felt powerless a lot of the time. At the mercy of the courts and their very slow timing. I personally saw how the courts and their employees abused the system not caring how if affected others. I think it is so dangerous to have children in the hands of an abusive parents/guardians and sometimes it is not in the child’s best interest to see their parent. It’s important to evaluate each parent and their fitness and ability to work and coparent in the child’s best interest. I know if my son’s father had not decided to leave the state that he would have one thousand percent violated a custody order, considering he violates every other order he’s given. If a parent violates an order that is not in the best interest of the child there should be consequences, and not ones that are basically empty threats. So because of this I support this petition. I hope that this is able to protect children and families who have the children’s best interest.
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My daughter and her ex husband had joint shared custody. Because the ex husband was in a small town and different county he had them durning the 4 days of the week and she had them Friday sat and Sunday so that they could remain in the small town school system. The judge agreed that Henrico had far advanced medical facilities (the oldest son was a type 1 diabetic) long abuse story to go along with the diabetes, and the judge agreed the school system was better in Henrico, but the judges words were as follows: quote: you don't expect me to rule against my county do you?? There were numerous child safety issues with the father having custody, but again small town and social services in small town kept the children with the father having 50% custody. Yes violations of custody need to be dealt with differently.