Child custody is often one of the most stressful parts of ending a relationship. Concerns about living with or having fair visitation rights with your children, protecting them from emotional or physical abuse if a spouse has engaged in inappropriate behavior, and dealing with school, medical care, and proper upbringing are all issues that play a role in determining the appropriate custody and/or visitation structure for your children.
The central Pennsylvania child custody attorneys of Howett, Kissinger & Holst will work with you to make certain that your children are in the proper home with the right custody arrangement.
Types of Custody
Custody in Pennsylvania can be sole, partial, or shared. Either the parents agree on custody, or the court makes the determination.
- Sole custody – The children reside with one parent.
- Partial custody – The parents have custody on an unequal basis, in other words, the children spend more time with one parent than the other.
- Shared custody – The children reside equally (or as close as possible) with both parents.
In the case of sole custody, the non-custodial parent normally will be able to establish a visitation schedule with the children. Visitation is either regular or supervised. Supervised visitation occurs when the court is concerned that a child could be harmed emotionally or physically if left alone with the non-custodial parent.
How Does the Court Decide?
Pennsylvania courts look to the best interests of the child in determining the correct home and visitation schedule for minors. Therefore, it is crucial that you understand how to present yourself and your circumstances to the court in order to obtain the most beneficial custody arrangement for both you and your children.
Custody Modifications
Child custody is not written in stone and custody arrangements can be altered due to changing circumstances. Sometimes one parent plans to move, wants to form a new romantic relationship, or desires to make decisions with which the other parent disagrees. These decisions can impact the health and well-being of your children. Also, since it is possible for various activities to have a direct and rapid impact on your children, it is crucial that you have attorneys who are familiar with the law and are able to respond on an emergency basis when necessary.
Contact Us
The future of your children’s health and well-being can often rely on a proper custody arrangement. The attorneys at Howett, Kissinger & Holst have handled numerous custody formations and modifications, know the law, and are available to assist immediately when circumstances require. Contact us for information on how we can assist you with your child custody issues.