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Pennsylvania Child Custody Legal Questions

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452 legal questions have been posted about child custody by real users in Pennsylvania. Ask your question and dive into the knowledge of attorneys who handle your issue regularly. Similar topics to explore also include family law, adoptions, and child support. All topics and other states can be accessed in the dropdowns below.
Pennsylvania Child Custody Questions & Legal Answers - Page 12
Do you have any Pennsylvania Child Custody questions page 12 and need some legal advice or guidance? Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 452 previously answered Pennsylvania Child Custody questions.
Child Custody
Pennsylvania

Recent Legal Answers

Can an assumed biological father take away my son after 3 years of nothing?

Answered 11 years and 10 months ago by attorney William R. Pelger   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
If you are on the birth certificate and you have acknowledged this child as your own and have cared for him for two years. The other guy, even if he can get a paternity test, has an uphill battle to unseat you as dad. However, you should get a lawyer.
If you are on the birth certificate and you have acknowledged this child as your own and have cared for him for two years. The other guy, even if he... Read More

Should I take my ex wife back to court for contempt charges?

Answered 11 years and 11 months ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
It is not contempt not to take the children. I would suggest a custody modification over a contempt proceeding.
It is not contempt not to take the children. I would suggest a custody modification over a contempt proceeding.

What can I do if I have full custody on two of my three children and the mother of my youngest child wants child support?

Answered 11 years and 11 months ago by attorney William R. Pelger   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
If she has 50% or more time of custody, and you are the father, she can get support. You can bring up all of your household expenses as the support hearing. I would hire an attorney to minimize the amount you will pay.
If she has 50% or more time of custody, and you are the father, she can get support. You can bring up all of your household expenses as the support... Read More

i want sole custody of my child who lives with his mother. she lives with her parents and is on welfare. it's not a stable environment.

Answered 12 years ago by Lisa M. Petruzzi (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
You should file a custody complaint to initiate the process.  The court will ultimately have to evaluate your case based upon the best interest of the child in determining who should be the custodial parent, or whether you should share custody. 
You should file a custody complaint to initiate the process.  The court will ultimately have to evaluate your case based upon the best interest... Read More

is it conflict of interst in custody if both parties used the same law ferm for a different issue??

Answered 12 years ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
Did you discuss anything with this lawyer before that could jeopardize your case now? If so, this would be a conflict of interest. If, on the other hand, you and your wife used the lawyer to draw up a deed and never discussed anything that could hurt your current case, then it's probably not a conflict.... Read More
Did you discuss anything with this lawyer before that could jeopardize your case now? If so, this would be a conflict of interest. If, on the other... Read More

Revoking parental rights

Answered 12 years ago by Lisa M. Petruzzi (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
You cannot terminate a parent's rights unless an adoption action is pending.  If you are remarried and your new spouse wants to adopt your children, you can initiate an adoption action, which will seek to terminate the parent's rights, and along with it, any child support obligation.  Be aware, however, that the parent has a right to defend their parental rights at the termination hearing, and a judge has to determine the best interest of the child in their analysis.... Read More
You cannot terminate a parent's rights unless an adoption action is pending.  If you are remarried and your new spouse wants to adopt your... Read More

out of state visitation rights

Answered 12 years ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
Your chances of having it moved to PA are excellent, as the place where the child has lived for the past 6 months is the home jurisdiction of the child. If the facts are as you present them, I believe the court will grant the father very little time at first--perhaps 3 hours on 2 Saturdays a month, and then schedule a review conference to see how that's been going.... Read More
Your chances of having it moved to PA are excellent, as the place where the child has lived for the past 6 months is the home jurisdiction of the... Read More

im 16 and i dont want to leave with my mom anymore my dad agreed to take me but my mom doesnt want me to leave what can i do

Answered 12 years ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
1. If you are being abused, please talk to your school counselor or call your county's children and family services office. 2. Ask your dad to file for custody.
1. If you are being abused, please talk to your school counselor or call your county's children and family services office. 2. Ask your dad to file... Read More

Can I get sole custody of my kids??

Answered 12 years ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
You can get sole custody. Terminating his parental rights, on the other hand, isn't so easy to do.
You can get sole custody. Terminating his parental rights, on the other hand, isn't so easy to do.

What legal step does a single mother needs to take if she wants to move to a different state?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by Ms. Sheri Smallwood (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
You need information as to the law in the state where the mother and child are and/or where the father is, not the law where they may be going (FL).
You need information as to the law in the state where the mother and child are and/or where the father is, not the law where they may be going (FL).

What legal step does a single mother needs to take if she wants to move to a different state?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by Mr. Robert Jason De Groot (Unclaimed Profile)   |   4 Answers   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
Florida attorneys are not going to know the law in PA. She needs to consult with an attorney there.
Florida attorneys are not going to know the law in PA. She needs to consult with an attorney there.

Who has custody rights on 9 months old baby if the mother is only 16 and the father is 21 has never seen baby but wants to now?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by attorney William R. Pelger   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
Nobody has any rights until a custody order is in place. Somebody needs to file for custody.
Nobody has any rights until a custody order is in place. Somebody needs to file for custody.

Can I move away with my children without the father's permission? How?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by attorney William R. Pelger   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
You can do it, but if he cares and wants to hire an attorney, he can file a petition for relocation hearing on this.
You can do it, but if he cares and wants to hire an attorney, he can file a petition for relocation hearing on this.

If I am being abused as a teen what will happen to my family while pressing charges and after?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by attorney William R. Pelger   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
Call the police. They will probably refer the matter to child services but may file criminal charges as well. Different things can happen, the police could file charges, child services could file a dependency petition, your parents could be referred to in home services whose goal would be to keep the family intact but work on the issues-parenting, anger management, etc. Also, you and/or some of your siblings could be removed from the home and placed in foster care . Talk to the cop then talk to children's services.... Read More
Call the police. They will probably refer the matter to child services but may file criminal charges as well. Different things can happen, the ... Read More

Custody visitation and unsafe vehicle

Answered 12 years and a month ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
Your BEST option is to go to court and get a court order requiring that the children be transported only by licensed drivers in inspected/registered/insured vehicles. If she violates that order, you can file a contempt petition and the court will likely suspend her custody unless she can prove that she is licensed/insured/inspected. It happens more often than you would imagine. The short-term solution is to call the police when she arrives with an uninspected, uninsured vehicle.... Read More
Your BEST option is to go to court and get a court order requiring that the children be transported only by licensed drivers in... Read More

DO I NEED TO BE IN TENNESSEE TO FILE A PETIOTION TO THE COURT?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
Probably not. Call the custody office at your son's home county courthouse. They should have options available for filing from out-of-state, including telephone testimony.
Probably not. Call the custody office at your son's home county courthouse. They should have options available for filing from out-of-state,... Read More

Looking for a Pennsylvania lawyer licensed to practice law in Ohio

Answered 12 years and a month ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
Are the children currently living in Pennsylvania?
Are the children currently living in Pennsylvania?

What are my paternal rights of my daughter in PA?

Answered 12 years and a month ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
You need to file for custody in the county where the child resides. Since you are the father, you have rights regarding custody.
You need to file for custody in the county where the child resides. Since you are the father, you have rights regarding custody.

Can my childs grandparents take her out of the country?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
They can take her with either your permission or the court's permission. If it's going to interrupt her school schedule, the court will likely deny it and you should argue that.
They can take her with either your permission or the court's permission. If it's going to interrupt her school schedule, the court will likely deny... Read More

If the father of your child hasn't been in their life for five to six year, and he decides to take you to court for custody what are his rights?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
In my experiences, very minimal, but he still has rights. If he has a criminal history, he will likely start with limted, supervised visitation. If not, he will still likely start with very little time. If, over time, he proves himself as a good father, he can ask the court for more time.
In my experiences, very minimal, but he still has rights. If he has a criminal history, he will likely start with limted, supervised visitation. If... Read More

Since he just found out about her, will he have to pay arrears and start child support?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by attorney William R. Pelger   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
In PA arrears only go back to when the child support complaint is filed.
In PA arrears only go back to when the child support complaint is filed.

Guardianship

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
The easiest way is for his mother to sign a new document revoking guardianship. Otherwise, send his mother a certified letter stating that you are relinquishing guardianship to her.
The easiest way is for his mother to sign a new document revoking guardianship. Otherwise, send his mother a certified letter stating that you are... Read More

Can I stop my ex from giving my son a bb gun?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
If you are concerned about your son's safety, call your county division of child protective services.
If you are concerned about your son's safety, call your county division of child protective services.

Fathers rights were temporarily suspended by the court. He wants visitation back. How do I stop that from happening?

Answered 12 years and 2 months ago by John Karl Puskar (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
It is rare for the court to completely deny a parent all visitation rights, even when they're a felon. However, you can minimize his time by accumulating as much information about his criminal history as possible and presenting that at the custody proceedings. In cases like this I've had, we've limited the other parent's visitation rights to 3 hours per week, supervised.... Read More
It is rare for the court to completely deny a parent all visitation rights, even when they're a felon. However, you can minimize his time by... Read More

Can I move to a different state without custody order?

Answered 12 years and 3 months ago by attorney William R. Pelger   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Child Custody
TN or VA? Anyway, you need to contact an attorney in the state you are moving to. If the father doesn't take any action to stop you-filing for a relocation hearing-you can move without having to do anything with custody. When you get to where you are going-VA TN, take the existing support order to the local family division. They will register it and transfer the custody order to your new state.... Read More
TN or VA? Anyway, you need to contact an attorney in the state you are moving to. If the father doesn't take any action to stop you-filing for a... Read More
Child Custody
Pennsylvania

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