Everything You Think You Know About Child Custody Is WRONG

Think mothers automatically get custody? Think your child gets to decide at age 12 or 13? Think being the primary caregiver guarantees you win?

Attorney Shameka L. Rhoades of Trustice Law Group is here to bust every myth about child custody — and the truth might surprise you. In this segment from ABC News Showcase, Shameka clears up the most common misconceptions parents walk into court believing:

• Do mothers automatically get child custody in Virginia? (No — here’s why)
• What’s the real difference between legal custody and physical custody?
• Does your child get to choose which parent they live with?
• Does being the primary caregiver guarantee you custody?
• Does your spouse’s adultery or bad behavior mean you get the kids?

The answer to all of the above? It’s more complicated than you think. Courts only care about one thing: the best interest of the child.