When a marriage or relationship is dissolving, generally the primary concern for each party is what will happen with the children. The confusion, frustration and emotions often lead to so much tension that each party and even the children are significantly affected. Each case is different and your attorney’s job is to ensure that the facts relevant to your case are succinctly and efficiently presented to the court. Below find a list of items that are factors for Child Custody in PA.
The court must apply the following factors to each custody case that appears in front of them:
(1) Which party is more likely to encourage and permit frequent and continuing contact between the child and another party.
(2) 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.
(2.1) The information set forth in section 5329.1(a) (relating to consideration of child abuse and involvement with protective services).
(3) The parental duties performed by each party on behalf of the child.
(4) The need for stability and continuity in the child’s education, family life and community life.
(5) The availability of extended family.
(6) The child’s sibling relationships.
(7) The well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the child’s maturity and judgment.
(8) 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.
(9) Which party is more likely to maintain a loving, stable, consistent and nurturing relationship with the child adequate for the child’s emotional needs.
(10) Which party is more likely to attend to the daily physical, emotional, developmental, educational and special needs of the child.
(11) The proximity of the residences of the parties.
(12) Each party’s availability to care for the child or ability to make appropriate child-care arrangements.
(13) The level of conflict between the parties and the willingness and ability of the parties to cooperate with one another. A party’s effort to protect a child from abuse by another party is not evidence of unwillingness or inability to cooperate with that party.
(14) The history of drug or alcohol abuse of a party or member of a party’s household.
(15) The mental and physical condition of a party or member of a party’s household.
(16) Any other relevant factor.
If you are considering filing for custody or if you have received custody papers from your former partner or spouse, it is imperative you seek legal counsel to ensure that your rights are protected and your unique case is presented to the court with an eye towards the above enumerated factors.
If you need to file documents related to child custody, you should speak with an experienced West Chester child custody attorney. At Potts, Shoemaker, and Grossman, LLC, our attorneys are prepared to help you seek child custody in PA to protect your family member. To schedule a confidential consultation, contact us at (610) 840-2626.