Va. Code § 20-146.21
Appearance of parties and child
Virginia · Code of Virginia Title 20 — Domestic Relations · Status: effective
Cite this
- Citation
- Va. Code § 20-146.21, Appearance of parties and child, Virginia, version 1 as recorded 2026-09-27, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/1407623
- Permanent ID
ys:prov:1407623@1- SHA-256
7c4211a2d1d278035f49aea11b57c21f0494d991866093243a139a13ad082dd4
The hash is SHA-256 of this version's text, with every run of whitespace collapsed to a single space and the ends trimmed. The ID always leads back here, and checking it says whether the text you cited is still the current version.
Full text
A. In a child custody proceeding in this Commonwealth, the court may order a party to the proceeding who is in this Commonwealth to appear before the court in person with or without the child. The court may order any person who is in this Commonwealth and who has physical custody or control of the child to appear in person with the child.
B. If a party to a child custody proceeding whose presence is desired by the court is outside this Commonwealth, the court may direct the party to appear in person with or without the child and inform the party that failure to appear may result in a decision adverse to the party.
C. The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety of the child and of any person ordered to appear under this section.
D. If a party to a child custody proceeding who is outside this Commonwealth is directed to appear under subsection B or desires to appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court may require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses of the party so appearing and of the child.