§ 20-146.21 Appearance of parties and child
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.
History
This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 229 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 “Acts” aren’t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2001, chapter 305.
1979, c. 229, § 20-134; 2001, c. 305.