It's been almost a year now since my husband has lost his job and we had to let my dad take physical custody of our 3 children for threat of...

Question

It's been almost a year now since my husband has lost his job and we had to let my dad take physical custody of our 3 children for threat of being homeless. Unfortunately, my father hasn't been co-operating with me with visitation and speaking with my kids. He slyly refuses to let me be a part in any of their lives, and as a mother, I feel as if I should have the right. I live in the state of Virginia, and as I have yet to find a job, I know I'm not financially able to care for them still, but I would like to know what kind of rights I have as a parent and what I can do to enforce a compromise with visitation and being involved in my children lives.

Answer

File a petition with the local J&DR;court in the locality where the

children currently reside as a "person with a legitimate interest" under Va.

Code Sec. 20-124.1 in securing your appropriate visitation rights

with your children under the facts as described.