Parenting Time Lawyer Chevy Chase, DC
You and the other parent are living in different parts of Chevy Chase, DC. Weekend exchanges at the Friendship Heights Metro station have become tense. You worry that the current informal arrangement is unraveling and that you could lose valuable time with your child. When parenting time disputes threaten your relationship with your child, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provide steady, experienced representation. Call (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
Strategy Options for Parenting Time Disputes
Every parenting time situation is different, and the path forward depends on where you are in the process. Some parents need a clear agreement written into a negotiated consent order. Others are already in litigation and need a lawyer who can present a compelling case to the judge. In some cases, a parent is being denied court-ordered time and needs an enforcement motion. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel evaluate the facts and help you choose an approach that fits your goals and your child’s well-being.
Our firm often helps parents work through mediation or structured negotiation before a case reaches the courtroom. When negotiation does not resolve the dispute, we file motions in the DC Superior Court — Family Division and present evidence about the child’s routine, each parent’s caregiving history, and what arrangement serves the child’s best interests. Because every attorney at the firm has over a decade of practice experience, the team can draw on a thorough understanding of how DC family judges weigh parenting time factors.
What to Expect When You Work with Us
When you reach out to our location at (888) 437-7747, we start with a consultation about your parenting time concern. We ask questions to understand your current schedule, the other parent’s availability, and any safety or special-circumstance issues. From there, we outline a plan: whether that means drafting a proposed parenting plan, initiating a custody modification, or filing an emergency motion if there is a risk of parental abduction or harm.
If the matter proceeds in court, we prepare you for the hearing, gather witness statements, and work with any Guardian ad litem the court appoints. DC courts decide parenting time based on a list of statutory best-interest factors, and we structure your presentation to address those factors directly. Throughout the process, we keep you informed about the court’s schedule and what to expect at each stage. The timeline varies by case complexity and the court’s calendar.
How Parenting Time Orders Are Enforced in DC
When one parent refuses to follow a court-ordered parenting time schedule, the other parent has options. A parent can ask the DC Superior Court to find the noncompliant parent in contempt, which can lead to make-up time, attorney fees, or, in serious cases, a change in custody. The court also has the power to order supervised exchanges or mandate participation in a parenting class. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel help parents who are being denied court-ordered time file the appropriate enforcement motion and present evidence of the violations.
If you are the parent accused of withholding time, it is equally important to have representation. Sometimes a parent stops allowing visits because of genuine safety concerns. In those situations, we help you present your reasons to the court and, where appropriate, request a modification of the order so that the schedule reflects the child’s current circumstances. The court handles each enforcement petition on its own facts, and the remedy depends on the history of compliance and the reasons behind any missed parenting time.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., began practicing in 1997. A former prosecutor, he brings firsthand trial experience to family law matters, including contentious parenting time disputes. Mr. Sris is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He keeps a small personal caseload so that he can remain directly involved in complex matters and collaborates closely with his Of Counsel.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and have achieved 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary. Every Of Counsel has over a decade of practice experience, and the team handles parenting time cases at DC Superior Court — Family Division with thorough preparation and attention to the details that matter most to parents and their children.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a DC court decide parenting time?
A DC court evaluates parenting time using a best-interests-of-the-child standard. The judge considers many factors, including each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s wishes if age-appropriate, each parent’s willingness to support the other parent’s relationship, and any history of domestic violence. The goal is a schedule that provides meaningful time with both parents while protecting the child’s safety and stability. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel help you present the evidence that matters most to the court.
Can a parenting time order be changed after it is entered?
Yes, a parenting time order can be modified when circumstances have materially changed. A parent who relocates, a change in a child’s school schedule, or a parent’s new work hours can justify a modification. The parent requesting the change must show that the current schedule no longer serves the child’s best interests. Our firm prepares motions that explain how the new circumstances warrant an updated plan.
What if I am being denied court-ordered time with my child?
You can ask the DC Superior Court to enforce the order through a contempt motion or a request for make-up time. The court takes interference with parenting time seriously. You should document every missed visit and communicate in writing whenever possible. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel can file the appropriate motion and present your documentation to the court. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Do grandparents have any parenting time rights in DC?
DC law allows grandparents to request visitation, but only in limited circumstances. A grandparent can file a petition if a parent has died, the parents are not living together, or the child has lived with the grandparent for a significant period. The court will grant visitation only if it finds that denying it would harm the child. The firm handles grandparent visitation petitions and can advise whether your situation meets the statutory threshold.
How does the court handle parenting time when one parent wants to move out of the DC area?
A parent who wants to relocate with the child must typically obtain court approval if the move would affect the existing parenting time arrangement. The court weighs the proposed move against the impact on the child’s relationship with the other parent. The relocating parent must show a good-faith reason for the move, such as a job transfer or family support. The other parent can oppose the relocation and present evidence about the disruption. Our firm represents both relocating parents and parents opposing relocation.
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Outbound reference: Elaine’s Law (D.C. Code § 16-904) — custody and divorce provisions · DC Superior Court · Council of the District of Columbia Code
Reach our location: Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Arlington location, 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room 719, Arlington, VA 22209. By appointment only. Call (888) 437-7747.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.