Many Pennsylvania parents will request a child custody modification due to changing life circumstances and — depending on the situation — a family law judge may or may not award such a request. That being said, there is one circumstance in which a court will always agree to the modification: when your child is in serious danger.
Ultimately, a family law court will always intervene when the best interests, health and well-being of your child are at risk. Therefore, if your child’s life or health are in jeopardy, it’s important to start gathering evidence and building a request for modification immediately.
Here are three situations in which a judge will probably agree that your child is in danger:
Domestic violence is happening in one of the parent’s homes: Learn about the signs and symptoms of domestic violence and call the police immediately when you suspect that your child has been the victim of violence. Not only will this give you much-needed support from law enforcement to stop the abuse, but it will also allow you to document what has occurred.
When the child does not want to be in the home of the parent where the violence is happening: This is another sign that a child is being victimized. A court will be more likely to honor a request for modifying child custody arrangements if the child does not want to continue living where the violence has been happening against him or her.
The child is in immediate danger: If it’s clear to the court that child is in immediate danger, the court will take action to modify custody in a way that prevents more danger to the child.
No child should ever be the victim of domestic violence. However, if your child is at risk, it can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. Don’t let your child continue being hurt in his or her home. Reach out for assistance and you will be surprised by just how much the law is likely to be on your side as you seek to protect your child.
