Blog: Child Custody
- Do stepparents have visitation rights in Pennsylvania?
May 21, 2025
When a marriage ends, it’s not just the couple who split. Stepparents often find themselves quietly grieving a relationship they didn’t expect to lose — the one they built with their stepchild. And when the legal dust settles, one question tends to hang in the air: Can you still see them? You don’t automatically have visitation rights In Pennsylvania, just loving a child like your own doesn’t mean the law sees it that way. Unlike...Read More - How does Pennsylvania law treat custody during holidays?
Apr 2, 2025
Child custody in Pennsylvania becomes especially challenging during the holidays. The law strives to ensure both parents have time with their children on important occasions. However, how this plays out can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Holiday visitation schedules in Pennsylvania Most custody agreements in Pennsylvania include a holiday schedule. These schedules are designed to allow children to spend meaningful time with both parents on holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving,...Read More - Why should you establish paternity?
Jan 10, 2025
Establishing paternity helps both parents and children by clarifying their legal rights and responsibilities. Paternity ensures that a child’s emotional, financial, and medical needs are met and sets clear expectations for both parents. Protecting a child’s rights Paternity gives children essential rights, such as financial support, inheritance, and health insurance. It also allows children to connect with their biological father and learn about their family’s medical history, which can be important for their health. Clarifying...Read More - Navigating parental relocation in child custody cases
Jun 4, 2024
Relocation can complicate child custody cases in Pennsylvania. When one parent wishes to move to a new location, it may significantly affect the custody arrangement. Courts use multiple factors to determine whether to approve a relocation request. Understanding the legal process and considerations involved in these cases helps ensure a smooth transition for the child and both parents. Giving notice First, the parent who plans to relocate must officially let the other parent know. Pennsylvania...Read More - What determines child custody when parents are not married?
May 29, 2024
When parents separate, the question of who will receive custody remains a sensitive topic. The marital status of the mother and father makes little difference from an emotional standpoint. Regardless of the circumstances, a host of factors determine the outcome. The best interests of the child Courts evaluate what living situation will most effectively support the child’s emotional and psychological needs. Among other factors, family courts consider the youth’s age and health. The goal is...Read More - When do courts award child custody to nonparents?
Apr 18, 2024
Parents have a natural right to custody of their children. However, there are instances when courts grant child custody to a nonparent, such as grandparents, siblings or relatives. Whether you are a parent going through separation or divorce and want to protect your parental rights or are family to a child involved in custody case, it can benefit you to know the situations and reasons why nonparental custody awards occur. This allows you to evaluate...Read More - Does the court allow visitation if the parent is in prison?
Feb 27, 2024
Visitation can be a complex topic based on the family’s situation. Some circumstances can impact whether the parent can be present and spend time with their child. Still, the court acknowledges that all children can benefit from regular contact and visits with their non-custodial parents, which remains applicable if the parent is in prison. However, the decision to allow visitation in these scenarios often depends on whether it is permitted through a court order. In...Read More - Special considerations for custody plans for newborns and toddlers
Jan 10, 2024
Children have different developmental needs based on their age group, among other considerations. Accordingly, this forms part of the factors considered when creating a custody plan. One of the most sensitive child developmental stages are newborns and toddlers. Below are some special considerations when establishing a child custody arrangement and parenting plan involving children in these stages of development. Attachment and bonding In such early stages of development, it is important for children to form...Read More - How joint legal custody works when the parents’ religions differ
Nov 7, 2023
If the court awards joint legal custody, both parents have the legal authority to make major life decisions for their child, including those related to their religious upbringing. There generally is no issue when both parents share the same religion. However, it may be confusing for those who do not. How does it work? Meeting halfway Parents can coordinate and discuss how they will deal with their religious differences, with their child’s best interests as...Read More - What happens in a relocation hearing?
Sep 20, 2023
Parents who want to move out of their Pennsylvania home with their child often do so to leave the painful past and welcome a fresh future. However, they must fulfill specific conditions that can lead to a relocation hearing before packing up their things and going away for good. The state’s relocation laws qualify a change of residence not necessarily based on a precise distance but on how it can significantly impair the nonrelocating parent’s...Read More