Blog: Child Custody

2/5/23

5 ways to help your kids through divorce

You and your spouse may not agree on much anymore, but one thing you do agree on is that your children are very much a priority – especially as you approach a divorce. While there’s no way to entirely eliminate the stress of your divorce from your children’s lives, you can take steps to mitigate the fallout. 1. Keep the focus on your children’s needs As you make the transition from spouse to co-parents, it’s...

12/29/22

Why embracing co-parenting matters

Parenting responsibilities do not end when parents in Pennsylvania get divorced. Unless a parent is completely absent from their child’s life, both parents usually continue to develop their relationship with their child after the end of their marriage. In many cases, the parents also undertake co-parenting responsibilities. However, some parents do not fully embrace this and instead approach parenthood after divorce as single parents, even when the other parent is fully involved. Embracing co-parenting, however,...

11/29/22

Co-parenting after divorce

When Pennsylvania spouses come to the difficult decision to end the marriage, a host of difficult issues inevitably arise. However, one of the most vexing concerns is likely to be how best to mitigate the emotional and developmental harm the process may do to the children produced by the union. Fortunately, it is possible for divorcing parents to step back, assess the situation honestly and realize that the split may in fact be the best...

11/12/22

Can professional services help your co-parenting journey?

Divorced Pennsylvania parents might struggle to make the relationship work, even when they have chosen to co-parent for the benefit of their children. When these conflicts get in the way of successful co-parenting, they have some professional options that might help them work out their differences. Sometimes parents choose to use these options, such as co-parenting counseling or therapy. Other times, the court might order parents to use services, such as mediation, which the parents...

10/28/22

A guide to contested custody cases in Pennsylvania

If parents in Pennsylvania cannot agree on their children’s welfare and living arrangements, they will have to go to court and have a “contested” custody battle. In these cases, the judge will make a decision based on what he or she believes is in the best interests of the child and the parent’s rights. Court-appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) In Pennsylvania, the court may appoint a special advocate (CASA) to investigate...

10/18/22

Overview: The various types of child custody

When people in Pennsylvania think about child custody, they typically think it refers to with whom the child primarily resides. However, child custody involves more than the parent who has physical custody of the child. It also includes the parent or parents who have decision-making authority, and it can take several forms. Physical vs. legal custody Physical Joint vs. sole custody When a child would be in danger emotionally or physically if placed in...

8/19/22

Understanding effective co-parenting

Even if Pennsylvania parents are not together, they are usually both committed to raising healthy, emotionally secure children. When both parents are involved in raising their child together the process is called co-parenting. Defining co-parenting Many people assume the meaning of co-parenting is divorced parents sharing parenting responsibilities equally. However, co-parenting does not actually mean equal responsibility between the parents. If both parents are raising a child together, when they are not actually involved with...

8/5/22

How to become successful co-parents

Co-parenting has many challenges. However, parents in Pennsylvania who want to ensure that they are successful as co-parents and offer their children a healthy, stable environment to grow up in can achieve this by developing a positive relationship with each other and respecting and encouraging their child’s bond with the other parent. Positive relationship When parents choose to Clear boundaries When parents are focused on Love and support Successful co-parents also understand that...

8/5/22

Building a healthy co-parenting relationship

Pennsylvania law generally allows both parents to have a relationship with their kids after a divorce. Therefore, your former spouse will remain a part of your life for many years to come if you share children. Making that time as pleasant as possible will benefit everyone. Respect Showing respect for your former partner is a sign that you’re in a healthy Communication The ability to communicate openly and honestly is another important sign of...

7/21/22

Child custody laws in Pennsylvania

While marriage can be a wonderful and fulfilling life event for many, they don’t always work out. Divorce often requires parents to make custody arrangements for their children. Pennsylvania custody regulations ensure that the child’s well-being is the main factor used to determine custody. Pennsylvania’s child custody laws Family law statutes pertaining to When the courts award child custody, they will consider the child’s best interests to make a ruling. If the parents do...