                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

WHEN NO ORDER IS IN PLACE; EXPEDITED HEARING; CONDUCT OF HEARING (§ 20-124.9)

A. If no court order exists as to the custody, visitation, or support of a child
of a deploying parent or guardian, any petition filed to establish custody,
visitation, or support for a child of a deploying parent or guardian shall be so
identified at the time of filing by the deploying parent or guardian to ensure
that the deploying parent or guardian has access to the child, and that
reasonable support and other orders are in place for the protection of the
parent-child or guardian-child relationship, consistent with the other
provisions of this chapter. Such petition shall be expedited on the
court&#8217;s docket in accordance with &#xA7; 20-108.

B. In any proceeding under this chapter where a deploying parent or guardian is
reasonably unable to appear as a result of his deployment, the court, upon
motion of the deploying parent or guardian and for good cause shown, may conduct
any hearing using a telephonic communication system or an electronic audio and
video communication system to provide for the appearance of any parties and
witnesses.

HISTORY: 2008, c. 750; 2011, c. 351.