Child Custody Lawyer

One of the toughest challenges parents encounter after separation or divorce is making decisions about their children. Even couples who can amicably agree on issues like property and finances often find it difficult to determine the best arrangements for child custody and shared caregiving responsibilities.

At Law Offices Of Blitshtein & Weiss, P.C., our child custody lawyers will work with you to draft and argue for a well-designed child custody plan that does what’s best for you and your children. Since 1995, we’ve been committed to guiding our clients through the legal process with care and professionalism, ensuring alignment with the law at every step.

Contact our legal team at (215) 364-4900 to secure the representation you deserve.

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Initial Consultation With a Custody Lawyer

The legal process of child custody begins with an initial consultation. During this time, our lawyers will gather critical information about your family dynamics, living arrangements, and any existing agreements or court orders. We’ll also assess your situation, understand your goals, and explain how local custody laws may apply to your case.

This consultation is essential to formulating a strategy tailored to your unique needs, ensuring that your parental rights are protected while prioritizing the best interests of your children.

What Is Considered in a Child Custody Agreement?

Determining the most suitable child custody arrangement that aligns with the wishes of all parties involved can be a challenging and stressful process. To minimize conflict, the custody agreement will be drafted based on a set of criteria and factors deemed essential by the courts.

Key factors considered include:

• The child’s relationship with parents: The court assesses how involved each parent is in the child’s life and the emotional bond they share.
• The child’s best interest: The court looks at the parents’ ability to provide a stable, predictable, loving, and nurturing environment for the child, including the parent’s financial, emotional, and physical capabilities.
• The child’s preference: Depending on the child’s age and maturity, the court may hear and consider the child’s preference, though this is only one of many factors and is not determinative.
• Any history of abuse and violence: The court carefully considers any evidence of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, as this directly impacts the safety and well-being of the child.
• Which parent promotes a healthy relationship: Courts in Pennsylvania favor parents who promote positive relationships between the child and the other parent unless such contact would be harmful.

Types of Custody Agreements

Courts recognize two primary types of custody: legal and physical.

Legal Custody

Legal custody awards a parent the authority to make major decisions about the child’s upbringing, including choices related to education, healthcare, and religious practices.

Physical Custody

Physical custody, on the other hand, determines where the child lives and which parent handles their day-to-day care. Physical custody can be

• Shared, where the child spends significant time with both parents
• Primary, where one parent has the majority of the time while the other may have scheduled visitation
• Supervised, where the child lives with one parent and can only spend time with the other provided a designated party monitors the interaction
• Sole, where the child lives with only one parent

Courts often encourage shared custody, as it allows both parents to remain actively and consistently involved in the child’s life. However, in cases where it’s deemed to be in the child’s best interest, the court may rule in favor of a different arrangement.

Each custody case is unique, and our experienced lawyers will ensure your parental rights are upheld while fostering the healthiest environment for your children.

Contact Our Law Firm Today

Work with Law Offices Of Blitshtein & Weiss, P.C. to secure a fair child custody agreement. Contact our office at (215) 364-4900 to request a consultation.