Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am planning to move out of state with my 10-year-old child. We do not have any custody agreement or court documents supporting custody, and we were never married. The father is actively involved in our child's life, seeing her every other week, but he provides no financial support. He has... View More 
I have a court order that states my child’s father gets visitation the second weekend of every month from Friday at 7:30 p.m. to Sunday. The new month recently started on a Saturday. The previous Friday was February 28th, and I did not consider that weekend to be the first weekend of the month as... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
Bear in mind that I'm providing this information to you without having had the opportunity to review the current order. I would say that logically the weekends start on Friday and so in this case I believe your interpretation is correct. However, if it's not really a huge issue for you,... View More
I am preparing to establish 6 months of residency in Pennsylvania with my son and want to file for child support from his father. We had an informal agreement where he would make weekly payments and have visitations every other weekend. However, he has not adhered to this agreement for the past 6... View More
I am considering a 50/50 child custody arrangement where the child would spend summers with the mother and the school year with the father. Currently, no formal custody arrangements or court orders are in place. I am unsure if the other parent will agree to this proposed arrangement. How should I... View More
I have full legal and physical custody of my 9-year-old son, as per a court order. After his father was released from prison, I allowed him to have contact with our son, and he moved to Florida. We agreed informally through text messages for a six-month arrangement where my son lives with each of... View More
I am the father of my children who were taken by the Department of Family in Puerto Rico due to alleged child neglect on the mother's part. I live in Pennsylvania and want to bring my children here, but they are not being handed over to me, even though they are not residents of Puerto Rico.... View More
I have full custody of my children as their father has relinquished custody and does not provide support or inquire about them. However, the existing court order requires his written permission for us to travel outside the United States. Given these circumstances, do I still need to seek his... View More
I signed my divorce settlement under significant pressure, as my ex was very manipulative, using our children and other personal issues against me. This led me to agree to terms that were not in my best interest. I want to understand what options I have to contest or modify the settlement and... View More
Ex husband and my dad involved in altercation. Judge ordered my dad’s visitation from granddaughter be eliminated. Two years later, ex sued dad for pain and anxiety. His lawyer said if go to mediation, pay 6 figure amount and agree to counseling, he will restore dad’s visitation rights. Dad... View More
answered on Jan 13, 2025
The judge is under no obligation to sign. Custody and visitation was not an issue that could have possibly been resolved in the civil lawsuit between your ex and your dad, as that suit did not have the child at issue in any legal way. The best that they could agree to was to go with a united front... View More
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
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