West Virginia Child Custody and Parenting Time Resources

FamilyCourtHelp is an independent educational platform. It is not a court, law firm, government agency, or government partner. We organize and link to publicly available resources published by courts and government agencies. Official requirements may change. Always confirm current requirements with the applicable court or clerk.

Custody in West Virginia is decided in the Family Court. Most states split the question in two: who makes the big decisions for the child, and what the day to day schedule looks like. Both usually end up written into one order or parenting plan the judge approves.

The wording differs from state to state, so read the official West Virginia documents below rather than assuming a term you heard elsewhere means the same thing here. Courts decide these cases on the best interests of the child, and the official forms are written to collect the facts a judge needs.

Official West Virginia custody resources

Official links below open in a new tab. You are leaving FamilyCourtHelp and opening an external government or court website.

West Virginia family law forms (official index) (West Virginia judicial branch): The official statewide collection of West Virginia family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.courtswv.gov/lower-courts/family-court-forms

West Virginia court self-help resources (West Virginia courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own West Virginia family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.lawv.net

West Virginia mediation and dispute resolution (West Virginia judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a West Virginia family case without a trial. https://www.courtswv.gov/court-administration/mediation

WV Circuit and Family Courts E-File (CourtPLUS) (WV Judiciary): West Virginia's e-filing went statewide for circuit and family courts in July 2024, but only attorneys and government agencies can register. If you are representing yourself, file on paper with the circuit clerk in your county. https://efile.courtswva.com/

West Virginia rules of procedure (West Virginia judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in West Virginia. https://www.courtswv.gov/court-administration/rules

Verified official West Virginia custody documents

These official documents cover asking for custody, setting a schedule, and putting a parenting plan in front of the judge.

Parenting Plan (SCA-FC-121), form SCA-FC-121 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://www.courtswv.gov/sites/default/pubfilesmnt/2024-12/SCA-FC-121.pdf

Official link data for West Virginia was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Which court hears family cases in West Virginia?

Family cases in West Virginia are heard in the Family Court. West Virginia has a dedicated Family Court for divorce, custody, and support; Circuit Court handles appeals and some related matters. West Virginia's counties are grouped into family court circuits.

Does West Virginia favor one parent over the other?

Custody decisions are made on the best interests of the child, not on which parent asks first. Judges look at things like stability, each parent's involvement, the child's needs, and whether a parent supports the child's relationship with the other parent. Read the official West Virginia forms and self-help material for the factors this state asks about.

Do we have to go to mediation first?

Many courts send custody disputes to mediation before a hearing, and some require it. The official West Virginia mediation page linked above explains what this state offers and when it applies.