Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.
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 
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
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.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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
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
answered on Mar 12, 2024
From the way the Order is written, it does not appear to bind Father into placing the child on his medical insurance. It merely states that Father "offered" to place the child on his insurance, not that the Court mandates him to do so. However, there may be a creative legal argument that... 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
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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
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
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 6, 2024
If the supervisor is leaving the children alone and there is a supervisor order then you need to file for contempt of court and have a court hear your case on an emergency basis. Supervision is put in place for a reason and you may have to file a Protection From Abuse to get an immediate hearing... 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
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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
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
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 29, 2023
One must be very cautious about raising a child in a broken home under custody court orders in Pennsylvania. The word "contempt" can trigger various sanctions available under the custody contempt statute, and the Superior Court has affirmed contempt orders because it is putting its foot... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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
The counselor is a mental health counselor at a center the mother and I both receive treatment at. Now the counselor is acting as a attorney for Mt ex the mother of my 5 yea old son in a custody.matter. she had access to all my personal Imformation. I'm not sure what ti do or who to contact... View More
answered on Oct 12, 2023
That is an interesting, and somewhat novel, professional ethics question. I would report the individual to the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors and to the Pennsylvania State Bar Association and let them sort it out.... View More
My mother has full custody of my 2 younger children and she stopped letting me see my to children and blocked me on social media and changed her number without warning
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 27, 2023
I am sorry to hear of your situation, it must be extremely painful. If your parental rights have not been terminated, you will need to file a Modification of your current custody order if your current custody order does not provide any scheduled visitation for you. Whatever issues you were having... View More
answered on Jun 24, 2023
Assuming the grandparent doesn't wish to agree to be removed, the parents would have to file a petition to modify the custody order. Before doing so, I strongly suggest that the parents speak with a local attorney experienced in familyu law for a private consultation during which they can... View More
The custody order states son should be in therapy within 7 days but I can't get appointment until June 12, 2023. The hearing is scheduled for May 30 and trial is June 12, 2023. I want to inform him of this but can't contact him by phone. Can I write him a letter or do I have to file... View More
answered on Apr 4, 2023
You should hire an attorney to assist you in preparing a motion to extend the time to begin therapy with affidavits from yourself and every relevant therapist explaining in detail why you are unable to get a therapy appointment scheduled earlier.
If the court ordered therapy to begin in... View More
2 children live with her and I here in PA. PA doesn’t have jurisdiction over her son and WA doesn’t have jurisdiction over her daughters. How can a custody agreement be filed? Does it have to be filed separately for the son in WA and for the daughters here? Should we get an attorney?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 3, 2023
This is an expensive mess. Ordinarily, both parties would file their divorce actions in each state and will serve each other in each other's state. Then, a motion for an interim order of custody gets filed in each state and each state's judge will hold a UCCJEA conference to determine... View More
My ex and his girlfriend recently moved his girlfriends parents into the home. Her father has Dementia and I am very concerned about him being around my child when she spends the night over there. People with dementia get confused easily and sometimes do things that are out of character or... View More
answered on Apr 3, 2023
Please consult with an experienced family law attorney in your area. In PA, parents are entitled to know the criminal history of anyone who resides in the household of the other custodial parent. If your concerns involve other issues, such as whether there might be safety issues which involve the... View More
My ex and his girlfriend recently moved his girlfriends parents into the home. Her father has Dementia and I am very concerned about him being around my child when she spends the night over there. People with dementia get confused easily and sometimes do things that are out of character or... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 3, 2023
The daughters father can live with anyone he wants any time he wants as long as the child is not placed in imminent danger to life or health. Having a demented elderly parent is not a risk factor for a child, at least not without further information.
Hypothetically, if the elderly demented... View More
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
