Court Process
Mediation Resources
Filing to First Hearing
- Within two to four weeks of filing, the Clerk’s Office will process your petition(s) and send out a summons as to your court date, via the Sheriff's.
- The Clerk’s Office will also notify the Court’s Mediation Coordinator.
- You will be contacted by the Court's Mediation Coordinator if your case is appropriate for mediation.
- If an agreement in mediation is reached, you will not need to appear in court, and the Clerk’s Office will mail you your final order.
- Within 30 to 90 days of filing, the Court will hold your first hearing.
- At that time, you may leave with a final order.
- If there are circumstances that require an additional hearing, your case will be continued to a contested hearing on the Court’s docket.
- Other events which may occur at the first hearing:
- A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) may be appointed for a child or a party
- Note: You may be financially obligated to pay.
- Re-referral to mediation
- Order to attend a mandatory parent education seminar (Note: In response to COVID-19, there are several parenting education seminars being offered remotely (PDF).)
- Psychological evaluation
- Substance abuse screening
- A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) may be appointed for a child or a party
Contested Cases and Appeal Process
- Within another 30 to 90 days, your matter will be heard on the Court’s contested docket.
- Once your matter has been set to this docket, continuances will rarely be granted unless good cause is shown.
- You will typically have one to two hours for your case to be heard and you should leave Court with a final order.
- If a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) was appointed, you will be asked to fill out financial paperwork to determine if you will be obligated to pay.
From the date of entry of a final order, at any stage of this process, you have 10 days to note your appeal.
Bonds may be required in Support appeals.
Please contact the Clerk’s Office
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
804-748-1379
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Jennifer Nicely
Clerk of Court
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Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Physical Address
7000 Lucy Corr Boulevard
Building Number 7
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone 804-748-1379Fax 804-717-6043
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(Closed for State and Federal holidays and severe weather)
Court Service Unit
Phone: 804-748-1372
Mediation Coordinator
Phone: 804-706-2678
Parking
From Lucy Corr Boulevard, turn left at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court sign. Take an immediate right into the visitor parking lot. There is no fee for parking. Once parked, proceed to the security checkpoint just inside the front, main entrance.
Social Media
- Annual Reports
- Current Case Orders of Publication (PDF)
- Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Case Processing Manual (Supreme Court of Virginia) (PDF)
- Virginia’s Judicial Branch
- Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Page on Supreme Court’s Website
- Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Caseload Statistics
- Custody, Visitation and Support - "Now What?" Brochure (PDF)
- Self Help
- Free Legal Answers
- Parent Education Providers
- Community Service Providers (PDF)
- Overview of the Courts System
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