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Legal Information: U.S. Virgin Islands

Custody

Updated: 
November 30, 2023

Can I get custody in a restraining order proceeding?

Virgin Islands law allows a victim of domestic violence to request temporary custody of a child through a restraining order. The abused parent should file a complaint for a restraining order with the Family Division of the Superior Court and request temporary custody and child support. At the restraining order hearing, the judge may grant custody, child support, and determine visitation for the period of time that the restraining order is in effect, which is usually up to two years, provided that the parents are not already litigating these issues in another court case.1

1 16 V.I.C. § 97(b)(4), (d)