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In a groundbreaking move, the Virginia General Assembly has passed a series of new family law reforms aimed at strengthening protections for children and families throughout the state. The legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Amy Broadbent on January 27, 2026, represents a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to improve the state's family court system and ensure the well-being of all Virginia residents.One of the key provisions of the new legislation is the establishment of a presumption of shared parenting in child custody cases. Under this new law, judges will be required to start from the premise that both parents should have equal custody rights unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. This move is seen as a major victory for advocates of shared parenting, who argue that children benefit from having meaningful relationships with both parents following a separation or divorce.Additionally, the new law includes provisions aimed at addressing domestic violence and abuse within families. Specifically, the legislation mandates that judges must consider any history of domestic violence or abuse when making custody decisions, and that they have the discretion to deny or limit custody and visitation rights to a parent who has a history of domestic violence. This will help ensure that children are not placed in dangerous or harmful situations.Furthermore, the new family law reforms also include provisions to streamline the child support enforcement process and make it easier for parents to receive the financial support they are entitled to. The legislation mandates the use of automatic income withholding for child support payments, making it more difficult for non-custodial parents to avoid their financial obligations.Overall, the passage of these new family law reforms represents a significant victory for children and families across the state of Virginia. By strengthening protections for children, ensuring greater accountability for parents, and promoting shared parenting arrangements, these new laws will help to create a more just and equitable family court system for all residents.