# W. Va. Code § 48-9-101: Scope of article; legislative findings and declarations

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S101

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 48-9-101
- **Heading:** Scope of article; legislative findings and declarations
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 48 / Article 9 / Section 101

## Text

PART 1. SCOPE; OBJECTIVES; PARTIES

(a) This article sets forth principles governing the allocation of custodial and decision-making responsibility for a minor child when the parents do not live together.

(b) The Legislature finds and declares that it is the public policy of this state to assure that the best interest of children is the court's primary concern in allocating custodial and decision-making responsibilities between parents who do not live together. In furtherance of this policy, the Legislature declares that a child's best interest will be served by assuring that minor children have frequent and continuing contact with parents who have shown the ability to act in the best interest of their children, to educate parents on their rights and responsibilities and the effect their separation may have on children, to encourage mediation of disputes, and to encourage parents to share in the rights and responsibilities of rearing their children after the parents have separated or divorced.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-101 §48-9-101. Scope of article; legislative findings and declarations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S101.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-102 §48-9-102. Objectives; best interests of the child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S102.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-102A §48-9-102a Presumption in favor of equal (50-50) custodial allocation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S102A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-103 §48-9-103. Parties to an action under this article.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S103.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-104 §48-9-104. Parent education classes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S104.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-105 §48-9-105. Venue for custodial allocation actions independent of divorce.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S105.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-201 §48-9-201. Parenting agreements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S201.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-202 §48-9-202. Court-ordered services.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S202.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-203 §48-9-203. Proposed temporary parenting plan; temporary order; amendment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S203.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-204 §48-9-204. Criteria for temporary parenting plan.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S204.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-205 §48-9-205. Permanent parenting plan.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S205.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-206 §48-9-206. Allocation of custodial responsibility at final hearing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S206.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-207 §48-9-207. Allocation of significant decision-making responsibility at temporary or final hearing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S207.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 48-9-208 §48-9-208. Parental dispute resolution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S208.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C48_A9_S101. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.