Child Custody / Visitation Lawyers in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the legal standard for child custody is deceptively simple. The only legal question which a judge has to answer in Pennsylvania child custody litigation is "what is in the best interests of the children?" All the evidence presented in a PA child custody case is geared towards answering that question.

Unfortunately, sometimes parents lose sight of this question when they are in the middle of trying to answer their own questions about how they are going to get along in life being split up from the other parent. Whether a child custody case arises out of a divorce, separation, or breakup, the effects on parents and children are similar. These are very stressful times for most people, and the legal proceedings involved do not make things any easier.

When we talk about "custody" in these cases, we really mean two things: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody means the right of the parent to have input into major decisions for the child, such as where the child will live, what school the child will attend, what religion the child will be brought up into, and whether the child will undergo medical treatment. It is very rare for both parents not to share legal custody. In most cases, both parents will have equal input into these decisions.

Physical custody simply refers to who has the children when. When we talk about working out a custody schedule, we are really talking about physical, not legal, custody. Physical custody can also be referred to as "visitation," although technically visitation means that the visiting parent can not take the child away from where the visit takes place.

Since child support flows from the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent, sometimes a parent will seek primary physical custody (more than 50% of overnights per year) of the children simply to get support. On occasion, one or both parents have so many personal difficulties that one parent feels the need to try to minimize the other parent's interaction with the children. Occasionally a parent is so spiteful and bitter towards the other parent that custody of the children becomes a means to vent anger and frustration.

Thankfully, most parents are well-meaning and truly want what is best for their children. The unique skills of experienced lawyers can be useful in all types of custody cases, but by far the easiest cases to handle are those where both parents can communicate well with each other and truly place the interests of the children above their own concerns.

Effective legal representation is essential to preserving all of your rights in a Pennsylvania child custody case. An effective Pennsylvania custody lawyer must balance legal knowledge with skills of persuasion and mediation to ensure the best result for his or her client.

The attorneys of Wolf, Baldwin & Associates, P.C. have these skills. We attempt to resolve custody cases long before they ever get to court. By working with our clients to settle cases out of court, we try to save our clients time, money, and heartache. We, too, want what is best for the children. Even if the parties agree on the terms of a custody order, we can draft an agreement to be ordered by the court, so that the terms are binding and can be enforced.

Even though will always try to resolve cases as quickly and painlessly as possible, we are ready, willing, and able to do battle to protect our clients and their children. Our attorneys have experience with child custody and visitation cases in Montgomery County, Berks County, and Chester County. Please click here now to contact us. We will be happy to discuss your rights with you. We want you to be able to resolve your custody case in the easiest manner possible.

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