Navigating family issues during a divorce can be a sensitive matter. For adults, emotions can run hot, and stress may be at a maximum. The process can be confusing and scary for children, and it may feel like everything they’ve ever known and relied upon is changing. Divorce is a time of transition, to be certain, but there are ways to manage the process of creating custody arrangements with compassion and grace so your family comes out the other side with stability and security.

The family law attorneys at Beroes Law Center can help you put your family first. For us, that means explaining how to navigate the legal and emotional complexities of finding a child custody plan that works for your family during a Pennsylvania divorce. 

The Legal Process of Pennsylvania Divorce and Child Custody

Preparing for divorce and its implications for your family, especially young children, starts with understanding Pennsylvania laws. The Commonwealth recognizes two forms of child custody: physical and legal. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and which parent is responsible for day-to-day care. Legal custody refers to a parent’s right to make significant decisions for a child, such as medical care, education, and religious upbringing. Parents may be assigned sole or joint physical and legal custody depending on the circumstances.

Pennsylvania courts base child custody decisions on the “best interests of the child during a divorce.” A judge evaluates specific factors and based on their discretion, decides what type of custody arrangements benefit the child’s physical and emotional well-being. The factors a judge considers when trying to establish which arrangements are in a child’s best interest include:

  • Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs
  • Each parent’s ability to ensure the safety of the child
  • The relationship the child has with siblings and other family members
  • The physical and mental condition of each parent
  • Each parent’s employment schedule and ability to make appropriate child-care arrangements
  • History of drug or alcohol abuse
  • History of family or sexual violence

The court also has discretion to evaluate other potentially relevant factors in the case. Navigating the legal process can be time and energy-consuming, so having a family law attorney on your side is the best way to protect your family.

Creating a Parenting Plan that Works

Parents moving forward with a divorce may hesitate to give a court the final say in their family’s lives. In some situations, working with your spouse to create a parenting plan that addresses everyone’s needs and concerns may be beneficial and can keep your child’s health and happiness front and center. The key points that any mutually helpful parenting plan should contain include:

  • Parenting schedule
  • Communications guidelines
  • Outlining decision-making responsibilities
  • Outlining financial responsibilities and obligations
  • Finding a dispute resolution process

All parenting plans should prioritize the child’s needs and allow for stability and flexibility when emergencies or new situations arise. Some parents find that utilizing an alternative dispute resolution option like mediation gives them the freedom and flexibility to work together to find a parenting plan that satisfies everyone. Allowing the court to intervene and create a parenting plan may be the best option during a contentious or high-conflict divorce.

The Beroes Law Center for Family Law Can Help

Managing the child custody process takes patience and compassion. During this challenging time, you need not only legal support but also emotional support. Our team focuses on finding strategic legal solutions that help your family achieve its goals. We also offer a sympathetic shoulder to lean on when you feel stressed or overwhelmed.

Call or contact the Pennsylvania office of Beroes Law Center today to set up a confidential legal consultation with one of our extraordinary family law attorneys.