Sole Legal Custody of Children in Pennsylvania

Child Custody is one of the most intensely emotional areas of Family Law. We totally understand that you're terrified of not having access to your children. We know that you and most spouses involved in Child Custody disputes truly want what is in the best interest of the children.

• Legal Custody allows a parent to make decisions about the child's upbringing including:
  • education;
  • health;
  • religion; and
  • other important issues.
  Legal Custody is most often granted as shared custody.

• Reasons for Sole Legal Custody include:
  • a history of violence or sexual abuse to any member of the family;
  • a history of neglecting the child including failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter or medical care or anything else a parent can reasonably be expected to protect and maintain the child's physical or mental well-being;
  • a history of drug or alcohol abuse;
  • a history of mental illness that would endanger the child;
  • failure to take care of, show interest, stay in contact with the child; or
  • a parent is moving out of state or out of the country.
• Sometimes both spouses will agree to the Sole Legal Custody and acquiring it is as simple as filing the right paperwork signed by both spouses.
• If one spouse opposes Sole Legal Custody and it goes to court but the spouse who opposed it doesn't show up the judge will usually grant.
• But if the opposing spouse choses to fight Sole Legal Custody resolution can take a long time and be very expensive. You need to prove the reasons you want Sole Legal Custody. An expert Child Custody Attorney gives you the best chance of convincing the court.
• A Sole Legal Custody agreement is something you want to get absolutely right and air tight. If there ary loopholes the parent you thought was out of your child's life may show up years later and make trouble and add even more emotional stress for your child. You absolutely need an experienced Child Custody Attorney.