What Factors Do Courts Consider When Determining Child Custody?

If you’re facing a child custody case, such as in relation to a divorce, a breakup, or a modification, your parental rights are on the line, which makes the matter serious. In the State of Pennsylvania, child custody determinations are always based on the involved children’s best interests, and having an experienced Lebanon child custody attorney in your corner from the start can make a big difference in how your case is resolved.

Keeping Both Parents Involved

When it comes to cases involving child custody arrangements, Pennsylvania courts are motivated by the children’s best interests. Unless there is a serious reason for ruling otherwise – such as child abuse or neglect – this generally means that the children will continue spending a significant amount of time with both parents, which is the gold standard.

Primary Factors

With the children’s best interests in mind and in their attempt to maximize each parent’s ongoing involvement in their children’s lives, Pennsylvania courts take primary concerns like the following into account when making child custody determinations:

• The parent who is most likely to support and encourage the children to maintain a strong bond and a healthy relationship with their other parent
• Each parent’s involvement with caring for the children to date – such as if one parent stayed home with the children while the other worked
• The degree to which maintaining the status quo, which refers to the children’s current living situation in relation to home, school, and community, is advised
• How close the children are to one another and the strength of their relationships with one another
• The degree to which help from the extended family is available.
• Any well-reasoned preferences that are provided by those children who are mature enough to do so
• Each parent’s ongoing ability to meet the children’s physical, emotional, and educational needs – including any special needs, 
• Each parent’s availability when it comes to caring for the children
• How far the parents live from one another
• Each parent’s overall physical and mental health, including any concerns related to addiction

Pennsylvania courts also pay careful attention to factors like the level of conflict between the parents as well as any current or past issues related to physical or emotional abuse. Finally, every child custody case is addressed in relation to the unique circumstances involved, which means every relevant issue will be considered.

Don’t Wait to Consult with an Experienced Lebanon Child Custody Lawyer

Stephen Grosh at the Law Office of Stephen W. Grosh – proudly serving Lebanon, Pennsylvania – is a well-respected child custody attorney who appreciates how important the outcome of your case is to you and your children and will spare no effort in his focused quest to obtain favorable terms that support your parental rights. We welcome the opportunity to serve you, so please reach out and contact us online or call 717-435-8830 for more information about what we can do to help you today.