Source: https://charleslaw.us/child-custody/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 09:53:44+00:00

Document:
The custody of minor children frequently is a major, if not the paramount and most contentious, legal issue in family law litigation. The custody, welfare and best interest of minor children is a primary concern not only of parents, but the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well. On November 23, 2010, after more than two decades, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania overhauled its custody statute and the factors that are regarded as relevant in determining the best interest of the child and who is to be awarded child custody.
At Charles Law Offices, we are all about family. We recognize that child custody and related family law issues often are emotionally charged, exact a heavy psychological toll upon litigants and their families, and can be a time of great sadness, anxiety, and distress. Resolving legal issues involving the custody of children at times may seem overwhelming and intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The lawyers at Charles Law Offices are here to help you through this difficult time.
For nearly 40 years, Attorneys Fredrick E. Charles and Dennis G. Charles of Charles Law Offices have successfully represented clients in child custody and related family law matters, helped them to negotiate and resolve difficult legal issues, and turned contentious situations into amicable and optimum outcomes. At Charles Law Offices, we will stand by you throughout the child custody litigation process, keep you informed of relevant legal issues, and help you make the decisions that are right, and most beneficial, for you and your family. And on those occasions when an amicable resolution of child custody issues cannot be reached, it helps to have on your side attorneys each with nearly 40 years of legal experience, preeminent and distinguished legal reputations, and an impressive track record of success in child custody litigation.
“Physical custody” is the actual physical possession and control of a child.
“Legal custody” is the right to make major decisions on behalf of the child, including, but not limited to, medical, religious and educational decisions.
“Child” is defined as an unemancipated individual under 18 years of age. 23 Pa.C.S. §5322.
Shared physical custody: the right of more than one individual to legal custody of the child.
Primary physical custody: the right to assume physical custody of the child for the majority of the time.
Sole legal custody: the right of one individual to exclusive legal custody of the child. 23 Pa.C.S. §5322.
Who has “standing” in Pennsylvania to file an action for any form of physical or legal custody of a child?
A person who stands in loco parentis to the child.
(C) the child has, for a period of at least 12 consecutive months, resided with the grandparent, excluding brief temporary absences of the child from the home, and is removed from the home by the parents, in which case the action must be filed within six months after the removal of the child from the home.
Do Grandparents and Great-Grandparents have Standing to Seek Partial Physical Custody and Supervised Physical Custody?
In addition to the factors set forth above, grandparents and great-grandparents may file an action for partial physical custody or supervised physical custody in the following situations.
(3) when the child has, for a period of at least 12 consecutive months, resided with the grandparent or great-grandparent, excluding brief temporary absences of the child from the home, and is removed from the home by the parents, an action must be filed within six months after the removal of the child from the home. 23 Pa.C.S. §5325.
What additional factors are considered by the court in cases which involve Grandparents and/or Great-Grandparents?
Are there any “presumptions” concerning primary physical custody?
As between parents, there is no presumption that custody should be awarded to a particular parent. 23 Pa.C.S. §5327(a). However, as between a parent and a third-party, there is a presumption that custody shall be awarded to the parent, but this presumption may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence. 23 Pa.C.S. §5327(b).
What factors are considered by the court when awarding custody?
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 the child from abuse by another party is not evidence of unwillingness or inability to cooperate with that party.
Any other relevant factor. 23 Pa.C.S. §5328.
What role does “Gender” play in a child custody award?
In making a child custody determination, the court is prohibited from granting any preference based upon gender. 23 Pa.C.S. §5328 (c).
Where a party seeks any form of custody, the court must consider whether that party or member of that party’s household has been convicted of, or has pleaded guilty or no contest to, any of the criminal offenses enumerated in 23 Pa.C.S. §5329, or to a substantially equivalent criminal offense in another jurisdiction.
The court, when considering a party’s conviction for any of the offenses enumerated in 23 Pa.C.S. §5329 and before making any order of custody to that parent, must provide for an initial evaluation to determine whether that party poses a threat of harm to the child, and whether counseling is necessary for that party or household member. 23 Pa.C.S. §5329(c).
If the court deems counseling to be necessary, it must appoint a qualified professional specializing in treatment relating to the particular offense to provide counseling to the offending individual. Counseling may include a program of treatment or individual therapy designed to rehabilitate the offending individual which addresses, but is not limited to, issues regarding physical and sexual abuse, the psychology of the offender and the effects of the offense on the victim. 23 Pa.C.S. §5329(d).
Does the court require the parties to submit “Parenting Plans” prior to awarding custody?
The schedule for personal care and control of the child, including parenting time, holidays and vacations.
The education and religious involvement, if any, of the child.
The healthcare of the child.
A procedure by which proposed changes, disputes and alleged breaches of the custody order may be adjudicated or otherwise resolved through mediation, arbitration or other means.
Any matter specified by the court.
Any other matter that serves the best interest of the child. 23 Pa.C.S. §5331.
May the court order the parties to attend “informational programs” or “counseling” as part of a custody order?
The court may direct the parties to attend informational programs concerning parental duties (23 Pa.C.S. §5332) or counseling sessions (23 Pa.C.S. §5333). In situations involving abuse, the court may order individual counseling for the abuser but may not order the parties to attend joint counseling. 23 Pa.C.S. §5333(b).
What records and information may a party granted sole or shared legal custody be provided access to?
A party granted sole or shared legal custody shall be provided access to: (1) the medical, dental, religious and school records of the child; (2) the address of the child and any other party; and (3) any other information that the court deems necessary or proper. 23 Pa.C.S. §5336.
You can rely upon Charles Law Offices to achieve the optimum result for you in your child custody litigation.
The lawyers at Charles Law Offices are here to help you with your child custody case. So, if you, or a family member, have questions concerning child custody or other family law matters, give Charles Law Offices a call at 610-437-7064, or fill out the screen questionnaire. Our staff of highly experienced, trained, and knowledgeable trial attorneys is here 24/7 to guide you through this troubled time, and help you with all of your child custody and family law questions and issues. Don’t settle for anything less!
Have questions concerning child custody or other family law matters?

References: §5322
 §5322
 §5325
 §5327
 §5327
 §5328
 §5328
 §5329
 §5329
 §5329
 §5329
 §5331
 §5332
 §5333
 §5333
 §5336