In virginia--

I am sole custodial parent of 16 year old, who resides with me, his mother, in Virginia. He has fallen into troubling behavior beginning in Spring (defiance, substance abuse, anger out-of-control, etc). He does well in school. He was place at wilderness camp for 53 day where complete testing completed. ODD and abuse of canabis were listed along with abandonment of father, domestic violence, etc.

A transistion plan set out for him to go to boarding school for greater structure and possible male role models. 6 weeks later he is asked to leave due to use of alcohol.

He is back at home, I am concerned that my best effort to implement structure and do the theraputic parenting I have been educated in, are not going to be sufficient. He is significantly better than spring BUT by no means do I think he really buys in to living at home. Within two weeks, he has informed me he plans to move out. He says he wants a judge to emancipate him as he is "sad and angry" at home. While I seriously doubt a judge would issue such request, I do wonder if he might be better placed with his father.

His father has seen him only on two occations in 10 years. He is attorney in Northern California has lovely wife and two kids. When contacted he has stated he will only do what he is legally obligated to. Our son, believes his dad would help him if he needed it.

My question... there are no legal documents indicating custody. I plan to contact his dad by certified letter and bring up the possible option of his dad being custodial parent. But in the absence of his willingness, would a judge ever require a dad to be involved in parenting if it was a better placement.

I am looking into a CHINs petition, as I really do feel like things could become volitile quickly and I need to have some clear ideas of what I can do. His only legal infractions has been skateboarding, but if I was not drug testing him I am not sure he has much "sense" of obeying laws( thus the ODD diagnosis).

Anyway thanks for your info.