Blue Bell Child Custody Lawyers

Experienced Family Law Attorneys Represent Clients in Blue Bell, PA

Child custody is often the most contentious and emotionally-charged issue in any divorce involving children. Depending on the age of the children, child custody can continue to present the potential for disagreement  for a couple years after their divorce is finalized. It is in both your and your children’s best interest to reach an agreement with your spouse on the issue of child custody as soon as possible to minimize any disruption to your children’s lives. However, if necessary the courts are available to make child custody determinations for you if necessary. In any case, our experienced child custody attorneys will fight for you and your children’s interests throughout the child custody determination process.

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At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C., our custody lawyers in Blue Bell will take the time to make sure you understand your rights and options. We ensure that we have all potentially relevant information to negotiate a child custody arrangement and present the most persuasive argument for your preferred arrangement. Whenever possible we will work with your spouse and his or her counsel to reach a mutually agreeable child custody arrangement, minimizing or avoiding the court’s intervention as much as possible. 

Child Custody Laws in Blue Bell

Child custody involves determining a parent’s rights to physical and legal custody of their child. Physical custody is the right of a parent to be in physical possession and control of their child. Legal custody is the right of a parent to make major decisions regarding the child’s life, such as education, healthcare, or religious upbringing. When courts are called upon to make child custody determinations for a separated family, they strive to make a determination that is in the child or children’s best interest.

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Some of the possible custody arrangements include:

  • Sole custody: A sole custody arrangement is when one parent has complete rights to physical and/or legal custody of a child at all times and the other parent has no custody rights
  • Primary custody: Primary custody is an arrangement when one parent is designated as the primary caregiver and will have physical custody of a child or children for a majority of the time
  • Joint custody: Joint custody is a shared custody arrangement when both parents have substantial rights to physical and/or legal custody of a child or children. Joint custody does not require a 50-50 split of parenting time, although parenting time is usually never grossly imbalanced in a joint custody arrangement
  • Partial physical custody: Partial physical custody is an arrangement that allows a non-custodial parent to exercise parenting time on specific occasions, such as every other weekend or designated holidays

Compassionate Child Custody Lawyers in Blue Bell Help Clients Through Complicated Custody Cases

When courts make child custody determinations, they do so based on what is in the best interests of the child. However, the “best interests” of the child is not always a straightforward determination. Instead, when courts determine a child’s best interests, they look at a number of factors, such as:

  • The parents’ current custodial arrangement, including whether one parent is the primary caregiver
  • The parents’ willingness to share custody
  • Whether one parent is more likely to encourage the child’s relationship with the other parent
  • The stability of each parent’s household and community
  • The location of any siblings or extended family
  • Any history of abuse or criminal activity by either parent
  • The child’s own preference, if he or she is mature enough to express a reasoned preference

Our Blue Bell child custody attorneys will work hard to ensure that you understand what to expect in your child custody proceeding. We take the time to get to know you and your family so that we can anticipate and prepare you for any complications that may arise in your case.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Consultation with an Experienced Child Custody Attorney in Blue Bell, PA

Protecting your child is almost certainly your primary concern. As a result, our attorneys are dedicated to developing a plan for your child custody matter, based on the facts and circumstances of your family, to best protect your child’s interests. If you are in the midst of a contentious child custody battle or want the advance of an experienced Blue Bell child custody lawyer, call us or message us through our Contact Us page of our website today to schedule a consultation with a member of our dedicated, knowledgeable legal team.

Frequently Asked Questions about Child Custody in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

FAQ: What does shared custody involve?

A shared custody arrangement is one in which each parent spends significant time with their child. Shared custody arrangements are especially flexible since the child is effectively living with both parents. Some families prefer a week-on/week-off arrangement, while other families prefer having the children live with one parent three or four days in a week and then going to the other parent’s house for the remainder of the week. In shared custody arrangements, parents typically share both physical custody and legal custody, or decision-making authority, for their children. As a result, shared custody arrangements only work when both parents have a sufficiently amicable or respectful relationship with one another to arrange frequent transfers of custody and to jointly make decisions for their children.

FAQ: Do I need a court-ordered child custody arrangement if I am able to work out an arrangement with my child’s other parent?

Although parents are free to make a custody arrangement for their children without any court intervention whatsoever, it is important to keep in mind that you and your family’s lives and circumstances may change over time, so your custody arrangement may need to change as well. As a result, having a formal child custody order from the court may be important if it becomes necessary to enforce a child custody arrangement or to seek a modification of an arrangement. If you and your child’s other parent do not have a formal court order, your options may be limited in the event your child’s other parent decides to deviate from your informal agreement.