Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.
My ex-husband moved out of state in August, and we currently have 50/50 custody. He now visits every other weekend or so for day visits, and the children return to my house to stay. I have them full-time and have applied for primary custody. A master agreed the custody document should be adjusted... View More 
I am in need of a pro bono lawyer because I am in a custody battle with my ex. I served my son's father papers for custody in Westmoreland county on October 10th 2024. On October 15th I had received Registered mail from my ex asking me to appear in court on October 17th 2024 in Beaver county.... View More
I have a current motion filed in NJ against my ex-wife who kidnapped our Son and ran away to Pennsylvania with a boyfriend, without any court order or my consent, violating our MSA agreement, then blocked all communications with me and our Son, this is her 3rd parental alienation attempt. While... View More
I have a 3 month old baby and the mother only lets me see him when she feels like it and even refuses to let me see him. This is my first child and I’m not sure how to go about any of this
The father has agreed to give me sole and legal custody but I don’t know what paperwork is all needed to file it on my own.
In Feb 2019 we had an unexpected homebirth. We lived together for 1 year when mom took our son to her family and refuses to speak, acknowledge, or even accept child support from me or my family. He was only seen informally by medical professionals, & never received legal documentation while we... View More
answered on Jul 20, 2024
I am sorry you are going through this. Sadly based on the information you have provided if the child has not been in PA for at least six (6) months PA does not have jurisdiction over the child. You will have to go through the Texas courts. Reach out to a Texas family law attorney to inquiry about... View More
Anything I can do legally? Since we have joint custody.
answered on Jul 20, 2024
The first question is there a written court order regarding custody between the parents or is there agreed to document that the parties have been living with or is there no agreement regarding custody?
The second question is do you have 50/50 legal custody or just 50/50 physical custody... View More
Her mother is abusive, does drugs, smokes, and drinks. She doesn't want to live with the abuse anymore and wants to live with us. Her mom won't consent to her moving out. We live in ND, she's in PA.
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answered on Jun 21, 2024
This is a complex situation involving family law, child custody, and potentially child welfare issues across state lines. Here's an overview of key points to consider:
1. Age of majority: In Pennsylvania, the age of majority is 18. At 17, your daughter is still legally a minor.... View More
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answered on Mar 25, 2024
If you are involved in a Protection From Abuse (PFA) case and fail to attend the hearing, the consequences depend on your role in the case. If you are the petitioner, the one who requested the PFA, not showing up could result in the dismissal of your case. This means the protective order may not be... View More
We went to court last week. While in court the father told the judge he will put our daughter on his insurance to help with therapy costs. The Orders states "father offers to add child to insurance to help with out of picket therapy costs". Now he's saying he's not required to... View More
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answered on Mar 10, 2024
This is not an easy question. Pennsylvania judges all too often shoot from the hip, and they can either contempt a parent or not based on what is written or what is not written in a court order.
Here, the order appears to provide that "dad offers" which is not an order at all. The... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2024
Establishing paternity is sometimes necessary to clarify rights and obligations. Paternity suits can be initiated to determine biological fatherhood through a blood test. This allows a biological father to secure visitation rights or enables a mother to obtain child support from an unwilling... View More
Every time I pick up my child, my son is crying and is reluctant to get in my vehicle. He loves being with me but mother is a “scorned woman” always trying to interfere and my son has already told me how “once he gets older he can choose who to be with” which is an idea implanted by mother.... View More
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answered on Feb 7, 2024
It is not clear as to whether this is a New York parent's question or a Pennsylvania parent's question. The laws of the two adjoining states is vastly different, and therefore outcomes are vastly different. Some elements are identical though.
In both states, as can be expected, no... View More
They hate that we’re together and fixing issues in our marriage and have been very agressive with actions trying to manipulate him to leaving. He fought back and stayed by my side and now his family is threatening to kidnap the kids. Local cops said best thing to do is run away but that doesn’t... View More
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answered on Feb 23, 2024
It's understandable that you feel frightened and overwhelmed by the threats your family members and their partners are making against your children. It's crucial to take these threats seriously and seek assistance from law enforcement immediately. You can file a report with the police... View More
we had signed agreement in Aug, 2021 for shared custody in bucks co, pa. My ex filed emergency petition to modify based on false allegations ( i have a proof). We had custody officer hearing , did not agree and i asked to see the judge. we saw the judge , it was also called conference. I did not... View More
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answered on Jan 30, 2024
Pennsylvania family law cloaks the process to make it appear fair, equitable and just. Nothing is farther from the truth.
Family law structures custody proceedings to occur before an under-judge called a "conciliator." This is mediation ordered to have the parents reach a... View More
Hi my name is Alicia. I'm not sure who I contact or even how to go about this issue. Me and my ex have a 3 yr old daughter, she hasn't let me see her in months. We have a signed and notorized contract. The baby also has my lastname. Is there any chance I have some type of rights? Or... View More
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answered on Jan 22, 2024
Alicia, in your situation, having a notarized contract regarding custody or visitation rights is significant. This document may outline your rights regarding your daughter. However, the enforceability of such a contract can vary depending on its contents and how it aligns with Pennsylvania family... View More
The mother is telling me I don't have her consent and won't let me talk to them if I am recording. This is because she has been warned to not interrupt in the order. But now is trying to hide behind the wire tap law in PA. She is still interrupting but doesn't want me to have evidence of it.
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answered on Jan 28, 2024
The general philosophy in any Pennsylvania legislation is that people are always treated like cattle being led off to slaughter.
As to the central issue in this question, Pennsylvania recording law provides that it is a two-party consent state. In Pennsylvania, it is a criminal offense to... View More
I have full legal and full physical custody of my 3-year-old daughter. I have a teleconference call with my daughter's father and a child support conciliator. can I offer to drop the case if he signs his rights away. he didn't meet her till she was 7-month-old. old filed for custody... View More
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answered on Jan 14, 2024
We here are strictly prohibited from assuming the position of a lawyer representing a client and rendering legal advice. We cannot say what legal steps an asker must take to arrive at her legal conclusion. We can educate, and that is how best to approach this asker's question.
In a... View More
She was staying there when the grandmother was sick and helping out and never came home. I’ve asked many times but my daughter says it’s easier since there is a woman up there and we are men down here. They are only a quarter mile from me and I do as my daughter ask Rides to Doctor appointments... View More
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answered on Jan 4, 2024
In custody disputes, the court's primary consideration is the best interests of the child. Pennsylvania law generally favors the involvement of both parents in a child's life unless it can be demonstrated that it would not be in the child's best interests. In your case, it may be... View More
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answered on Dec 20, 2023
In Pennsylvania, if your ex-partner willingly decides not to exercise their scheduled custody time and explicitly communicates that they don't want to see the child during their designated time, it is unlikely that you would be held in contempt for keeping the child during that period.... View More
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