At this office, we understand that your children are important to you, and our experienced attorneys will strongly advocate for you as you pursue your custody matters. We take the time to get to know you and your child.
When we meet, we will discuss your ideal custodial arrangement, a plan for co-parenting, and how that arrangement will impact your child. Often parents are able to agree on a custody schedule that meets the child’s needs, as well as the needs of both parents. If settlement is possible, we will facilitate a settlement in a way that protects you and your child.
When settlement is not possible, our attorneys will provide careful attention to the unique needs of your family as we prepare and present your custody case in the court. In doing so, we will review with you the factors under Pennsylvania’s Child Custody Act that the court will consider when determining custody of your child, which are the following:
- Which party is more likely to encourage and permit frequent and continuing contact between the child and another party;
- The present and past abuse committed by a party or member of the party’s household, whether there is a continued risk of harm to the child or an abused party and which party can better provide adequate physical safeguards and supervision of the child;
- The parental duties performed by each party on behalf of the child;
- The need for stability and continuity in the child’s education, family life and community life;
- The availability of extended family;
- The child’s sibling relationships;
- The well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the child’s maturity and judgment;
- The attempts of a parent to turn the child against the other parent, except in cases of domestic violence where reasonable safety measures are necessary to protect the child from harm;
- Which party is more likely to maintain a loving, stable, consistent, and nurturing relationship with the child adequate for the child’s emotional needs;
- Which party is more likely to attend to the daily physical, emotional, developmental, educational, and special needs of the child;
- The proximity of the residences of the parties;
- Each party’s availability to care for the child or ability to make appropriate child-care arrangements;
- The level of conflict between the parties and the willingness and ability of the parties to cooperate with one another;
- The history of drug or alcohol abuse of a party or member of a party’s household; and
- The mental and physical condition of a party or member of a party’s household.
These factors will play an important role in your custody hearing, and our attorneys will work with you to identify how they relate to your child and your family. We will present your custody case in a manner that highlights your strengths as a parent.