Bensalem Child Custody Lawyer

Compassionate Family Lawyers Represent Clients in Child Custody Cases

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Child custody is a sensitive subject. When parents separate or divorce, they will likely have to make some difficult decisions regarding their child’s future. Child custody addresses which parent will have primary care of the child and what measures must be taken to ensure their best interests are being met in the process. 

If you are going through this process as a parent, a family law child custody attorney may be able to help you understand your rights and walk you through the process step by step. We have broken down everything you need to know about child custody laws in Bensalem.

Why Do You Need a Child Custody Lawyer for Child Custody Cases?

During a divorce, child custody can be a highly contentious issue. The two parties involved, as well as their lawyers, will often disagree on what course of action is best for the child. A Bensalem child custody lawyer may be able to help you navigate the process as smoothly as possible by ensuring your child’s interests are always kept in mind while they advocate for you during a tense, emotion-filled process. 

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Why Do Parents Contest Child Custody?

Contesting child custody often arises during the divorce process. Parents may choose to go to court for one of two reasons: 

  1. One parent believes the other is incapable of caring for the child; or
  2. The couple cannot agree on a course of action for custody. 

Couples that cannot agree on a custody agreement need to go to court to have an agreement established by a judge. The judge will try to work out a schedule that is best for the children involved as well as what can work for the parents. However, the parents are required to abide by the judge’s agreement even if it does not perfectly fit their wants and needs. 

How Does Child Custody Law Work?

Parents have what is referred to as a “natural right” to their children. This means that the law assumes both parents are fit to provide care for their child. That being said, one parent might believe they are more suitable than the other.  In that case, whether you are divorcing or not, you and the other parent will likely have to go to court and present your case. 

The court will take into account a variety of factors, including your child’s health, the living conditions of each parent, and how the child is currently being cared for. When parents cannot agree on terms of custody, the court will appoint a child psychologist to do a home study and provide a report on the situation. A judge sometimes will then review this report in making their decision on custody.

How Can Parents Make Custody Decisions Easier?

When it comes to child custody, there is no easy way to go about it. It is typically a highly contentious issue that often leads to conflict between the two parents. When emotions are running high, it can be easy to lose sight of what is best for the child. 

The best way parents can make the decision easier is to keep their child’s best interests at the forefront of their minds. Focus on what is best for your child, regardless of which parent ends up with primary care. 

It often helps to have a third party mediate the custody negotiations. An arbitrator or lawyer that both parties can trust can help smooth out the process of deciding on custody issues. A licensed arbitrator can also make binding judgments, which is one way to avoid going to court. 

Lawyers can also help with the negotiations. Whether you have a Bensalem child custody lawyer represent you or as the arbitrator, they can find ways of balancing your interests with the needs of your child. They may also be able to help write the custody agreement, which becomes the binding guidelines for how your family handles custody. If done right, your child custody lawyer may be able to help you avoid going to court and negotiate a custody agreement that makes everyone happy.

Schedule a Free Consultation to Learn More About Your Legal Options

Dealing with custody issues can be an emotional time, which is why you want a detached third party to help you through the process. Hiring a Bensalem child custody lawyer is not only smart in terms of negotiating, but also in terms of protecting your rights. If you or someone you know is dealing with a custody issue, take the important step and hire a talented child custody lawyer. 

At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, we provide award-winning child custody legal advice for residents of Bensalem. With more than 65 years of experience, we have the skills and expertise to help you reach a satisfactory ending to your case. Call us at (215) 822-7575 or submit our contact form to schedule your consultation so we can assist in the resolution of your custody issues.

FAQ: How does shared custody work?

Shared custody means that each parent gets to spend significant time with their child. However, shared custody is very flexible in terms of schedule arrangements. Some parents may adopt a week-on/week-off arrangement, a weekday/weekend arrangement, or may even adopt a school year/school break arrangement. In most shared custody arrangements, parents share both physical custody and legal custody. Thus, shared custody usually requires that the parents have an amicable relationship to make joint decisions for their children and handle the changes and emergencies that arise in every child’s life.

FAQ: If my child’s parent and I agree on custody matters, do I need a custody order?

Child custody is almost never a “set-it-and-forget-it” matter. Your life, your child’s parent’s life, and your child’s life will change over time, which may require you to change your custody arrangement. Moreover, if your custody arrangement is not set in a court order, your recourse is limited if your child’s other parent decides to deviate from your informal custody agreement.