Child Custody Lawyer in Clearfield County, PA
Child custody concerns arise in divorce cases, in relation to modification needs, and outside of marriage and divorce. Because your child custody case will directly affect your rights as a parent and how much time you spend with your children moving forward, it is especially important. Our experienced Clearfield County, PA, child custody lawyers at Topinka Law are standing by to help.
Child Custody Goes Beyond Your Parenting Plan
Your child custody orders will address both physical custody and legal custody.
Legal Custody
Legal custody determines how you and the other parent will make primary parenting decisions, like the following:
- Where your children attend school or daycare
- Medical care your children receive
- Travel and extracurricular activities your children participate in
- The religious education your children receive
The court determines legal and physical custody based on the children’s best interests, and either can be sole or shared.
Physical Custody
Physical custody establishes parenting time, which determines how you and the other parent will divide your time with your shared children. The State of Pennsylvania does not presume that physical custody must be split 50/50, and there is no statutory preference for dividing parenting time equally.
Physical custody can take any of the following forms:
- Shared physical custody in which each parent is awarded substantial time with the children
- Partial physical custody in which the children spend less than half of their overnights with one parent
- Primary physical custody in which one parent has the children the majority of the time
- Sole physical custody in which one parent has exclusive custody of the children, while the other may have supervised visitation or no visitation at all
- Supervised physical custody in which a third party supervises one parent’s visitation
If you and your children’s other parent can negotiate mutually acceptable terms, you can generally expect the court to accept them. If not, however, the Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas will likely hear your case. Turn to a trusted child custody attorney for the help you need.
Best Interest Factors
Pennsylvania has streamlined the best interest factors it uses to make child custody determinations. A primary concern is determining which parent is most likely to effectively facilitate the other parent’s frequent and ongoing interaction with the children. Another is the stability each parent’s household provides the children. We also consider which household better supports continuity in the children’s schooling and daily routines.
Other factors include the preferences of those children considered mature enough to participate. We will also carefully consider the children’s relationships with one another and with extended family members.
Our Experienced Clearfield County Child Custody Attorneys Are on Your Side
Our seasoned Clearfield County child custody lawyers at Topinka Law appreciate the significance of your child custody case and welcome the opportunity to advocate on behalf of your rights skillfully. Learn more by contacting us online or call 814-954-7280 today.