Blog: Child Custody
- Child custody, visitation and co-parenting after divorce
Jan 28, 2020
A common source of disagreement for divorced parents in Pennsylvania is child custody and visitation. This is true whether the marriage was short-term or long-term. Children and related issues make divorce difficult, but it is useful to avoid acrimony with co-parenting. Many of these concerns can be handled with planning and patience. For those who are worried about handling co-parenting disputes, there are strategies that can make the process easier. When there is a scheduling...Read More - Child visitation cannot be denied for these reasons
Dec 2, 2019
It can be tempting for a parent to use their child as leverage after a divorce. Bitterness, hostility and anger can make a person feel like the only way they can get back at the ex is to refuse visitation. If a court has granted a non-custodial parent visitation rights, interfering with these can lead to jail time, fines and even loss of custody. Here are some other illegitimate reasons Pennsylvania parents should avoid using...Read More - How to parent successfully with a narcissist ex-spouse
Nov 20, 2019
Marital discord can lead to some Pennsylvania couples deciding that divorce is the only option and that co-parenting the children from different households is best for everyone involved. Some individuals are dealing with an ex-spouse who is a narcissist. They may find it difficult to maintain their sanity and put their children’s best interests first. There are several steps that individuals can take in order to improve their communication with a toxic ex-spouse. Unfortunately, name-calling,...Read More - What to do after being denied visitation
Sep 9, 2019
Pennsylvania parents and others who are denied the right to visit with their child may eventually be able to obtain the right. The first step toward doing so is to determine why visitation rights were denied. For instance, a judge may have felt that a parent could put a child’s emotional or physical health in jeopardy. In some cases, parents will be asked to attend parenting classes or a rehab program before they can see...Read More - Helping kids deal with their parents ’ divorce
Jul 17, 2019
Pennsylvania parents deciding to divorce may be concerned about how they can best protect the parent-child relationship despite the end of a marriage. Divorce can be a difficult time for children. They may feel like they are supposed to be on one parent’s side, or they may worry that their parents will leave them as well. Some kids, especially younger children, may feel that they are at fault for the divorce. Even the practical changes...Read More - How supervised visitation works for families
Jul 3, 2019
Supervised visitation can be an essential tool to protect a child’s well-being in Pennsylvania even while preserving the relationship with a troubled or complicated parent. Most family courts prefer joint custody, which is when both parents share roughly equal time with the children. If this is not possible, regular and extensive visitation can also foster the relationship with the noncustodial parent. In some cases, however, a parent’s issues are more serious. There may be allegations...Read More - How to get the most out of parent time
May 10, 2019
It’s not uncommon for parents to feel like they’re not getting as much out of their parent time as they’d like to. Whether you’re freshly divorced and transitioning into a custody routine or simply trying to pull your teen away from a video game, it can be challenging to make use of these short intermittent periods. Here are a few tips every parent can use to try to maintain a close bond with their child...Read More - Joint custody more common as attitudes toward parenting shift
Apr 8, 2019
Pennsylvania parents who are deciding on child custody could be faced with a difficult process although every individual case is different. That wasn’t always true in the past when the vast majority of custody cases were decided entirely in favor of the mother. Now, courts tend to prefer shared parenting or joint custody arrangements. Experts say that this is due to many changing attitudes over the years. Working women and a more casual attitude about...Read More - How is child custody determined in Pennsylvania?
Apr 5, 2019
For many years, it was almost automatic that fathers received custody of children in a divorce. In the middle of the 20th century, that flipped and child custody often went to mothers while fathers received custody on holidays and weekends. In recent years, judges go into child custody hearings with the mindset not to favor one parent or the other but to determine what is in the best interest of the child. Specifics of child...Read More - How do I keep my ex from badmouthing me?
Feb 1, 2019
Fighting parents can have life-long lasting effects on their child’s ability to trust in both romantic and platonic relationships. If you believe your ex-spouse is exposing your child to negative opinions about you, it’s important not to stand by. Talk it out The first step is to have a discussion with your ex-spouse in the most respectful way possible. Try not to place blame on your ex or say anything that might antagonize them. This...Read More