Sole Custody in PA
When only one parent has physical or legal custody, they have sole custody of the child in Pennsylvania.
When two parents separate or get a divorce, child custody immediately becomes a critical issue. Where will the child spend their time? How will the responsibilities of child welfare be divided? If you are involved in a battle for custody, you are likely worried about losing the chance to spend time with your children. Your spouse may be trying to portray you as a villain, but you only want the opportunity to be a successful parent.
The Pittsburgh custody lawyers at Pittsburgh Divorce & Family Law, LLC frequently see the challenges that can arise in these situations. With years of experience in family law, attorney Anthony Piccirilli can present your case in the best possible light. He will be your impassioned advocate and will guide you through the process of obtaining custody.
Call (412) 471-5100 now to see how your parental rights can be protected.
Sole Versus Joint Custody
In Pennsylvania, there are two primary custody types: legal and physical. Physical custody describes the right to attend to the child’s day-to-day needs, whereas legal custody is the responsibility of being involved in long-term decisions related to a child’s upbringing. A child will almost always live with the parent that has been granted physical custody. In addition, custodial responsibilities can be assigned in a number of ways. Both legal and physical custody can be either joint or sole, and the way they are divided depends entirely on what the court perceives as being best for the child.
In the majority of custody cases, both parents will share legal custody, with one parent being given sole physical custody. When legal custody is shared, both parents are allowed to make welfare decisions, such as those related to healthcare, education, and religion. The parent with sole physical custody, on the other hand, is who the child will spend the majority of their time with. The parent without physical custody, commonly referred to as the non-custodial parent, is often granted visitation rights, which allows them to spend time with their child on weekends, holidays, and other predetermined dates.
Determining Factors
When determining custody, the best interests of the child is the court’s chief concern. In other words, which parent is more capable of attending to the child’s physical, mental, and emotional needs? While the opinions and wishes of parents are taken into consideration, a number of factors are analyzed when creating a custody order. These include, but are not limited to:
- Are the children at an age where giving sole physical custody to one parent would cause psychological damage?
- How well do the parents get along? Will they be able to cooperate and follow the rules outlined in the custody arrangement?
- What is the separation distance between the parents’ residences?
- Does either parent show signs of drug or alcohol problems?
- Will both parents support the relationship between the child and the other parent?
- How emotionally attached is the child to each parent?
Contact Pittsburgh Divorce & Family Law, LLC Today
Creating a custody agreement is normally the number one concern of divorcing couples. Creating an arrangement that works for everyone is not only beneficial for the child, it can also prevent future conflict with your spouse.
Pittsburgh Divorce & Family Law, LLC’s Pittsburgh custody lawyers realize that a battle for custody can be traumatic for any family. After all, your only goal is to continue having a relationship with your child. Attorney Anthony Piccirilli believes that the key to achieving a favorable outcome in your case lies in getting to know you and all the relevant details of your issue. Once we have gathered the facts, we will show the court that you are a loving and responsible parent, deserving of the maximum custody time allowed to you under the law.
Call (412) 471-5100 today to see how you can obtain custody of your child.