PA Laws regarding Physical Custody
Learn about Custody Law in West Chester PA: Physical custody is the actual physical possession and control of a minor child. Pennsylvania statutes further define physical custody based upon the amount of overnights each parent or third party spends with the minor child or children. A parent or third party may have sole physical custody, primary physical custody, partial physical custody, shared physical custody, or visitation. Visitation is the right to spend time with a minor child or minor children, but not the right to remove the child or children from the custodial parent’s control.
Partial custody is the right to take possession of a minor child or minor children away from the custodial parent and may include the right to have overnight custody with the child or children. Shared physical custody (sometimes referred to as joint physical custody) is the term used to designate frequent and continuing contact between the child or children and his or her parents and is the term generally used when both parents have almost equal overnight periods of custody. Primary custody is the right of one parent to have the majority of custodial time with a minor child or minor children. Sole physical custody is rarely awarded. Sole custody is the award of custody rights to one parent with no custody rights to the other parent. In order to fight for custody you have to file a Custody Complaint. ie. If you live in West Chester PA, or Downingtown PA or Kennett Square, the Custody Complaint would be filed in Chester County.
Learn more about our Custody Law practice:
Legal Custody in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, legal custody is the right to make important decisions that impact children including decisions regarding education, religion, and medical care. If PA parents are able to cooperate in any minimal fashion, legal custody is often shared between the parents. Under a PA shared legal custody arrangement, the parent who has physical custody on a given day makes routine day-to-day decisions impacting a minor child and the parties share the responsibility for making major decisions. Learn more about Custody Law in Chester County by contacting West Chester PA Custody attorney, Joshua Janis.
How is custody decided in Pennsylvania courts?
Most of the time, parents are able to come to an agreement on the best type of custody arrangement for them and the children. After all, isn’t it better for the parents to decide what is the best custody arrangement for their children rather than a judge who doesn’t know the parents or children? Even when the parents are angry at each other, hopefully they can step back from their anger and realize that both parents play an important role in their children’s lives. Get help on your Chester County Custody matter by contacting Joshua Janis.
At Ciccarelli Lawyers, our lawyers are both passionate in what they do and compassionate in their treatment of their clients. You deserve a Pennsylvania lawyer that is available when you need him, treats you with respect, and protects your rights vigorously. We make your choice all the clearer with locations throughout the metropolitan Philadelphia Pennsylvania, including Center City Philadelphia, West Chester PA, Downingtown/Exton PA, Kennett Square PA, Lancaster PA, King of Prussia PA, Plymouth Meeting PA, Radnor and Springfield PA.
We serve Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster County, Montgomery County, Downingtown, Paoli, Media, Norristown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading and Allentown. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Pennsylvania Divorce Attorney at Ciccarelli Lawyers, by contacting us at (610) 925-2500 or toll free at (877) 529-2422.
