Child Custody Dispute

In Pennsylvania, courts decide custody based upon the best interests of the child.  The court will evaluate 15 factors, with one “catch-all” provision for a total of 16 factors.  Factors that address the child’s safety will be given more weight by the court.

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In summary, the factors are:

 

1. Which parent is more likely to allow the other parent to have frequent contact;

2. Present and past abuse committed by the party or a member of their household and which party can provide better safety and supervision;

3. The parental duties performed by each of the parents;

4. The need for stability and continuity in the child’s life and schooling;

5. The availability of extended family;

6. The child’s sibling relationships;

7. The well-reasoned preference of the child, based upon maturity and judgment;

8. The attempts of one parent to alienate the other parent;

9. Which parent is more likely to provide for the child’s emotional needs and provide a loving, stable and nurturing relationship with the child;

10. Which parent is more likely to attend to the daily physical, emotional, educational and special needs of the child;

11. The proximity of residences of the parties;

12. Each party’s availability to care for the child or make appropriate child-care arrangements;

13. The level of conflict between the parties and the willingness to cooperate with one another;

14. The history of drug and alcohol abuse of the party or party’s household member;

15. The mental and physical condition of a party or a party’s household member;

16. Any other relevant factor.

 

If you have safety concerns about your child in the custody of another, contact KLLO at

(570) 903-3161.