If you’re involved in a Pennsylvania child custody dispute, it’s crucial to know how the courts make custody decisions so you can make a strong case. The most important thing to remember is that state law requires courts to make custody decisions based on your child’s best interests. The courts consider many factors to determine what custody arrangement best suits your child’s needs, including:
- Which parent is more likely to keep your child safe
- Any history of abuse or domestic violence by you or the child’s other parent
- How much involvement you and the child’s other parent have in the day-to-day raising of your child
- What custody arrangement would maintain stability in your child’s daily life
- Your child’s relationships with any siblings they have
- The child’s preferences, if they’re old enough and mature enough to express an informed opinion
- Whether you or the child’s other parent have tried to discourage ties with the other parent
- Whether you or the child’s other parent are better equipped to give your child a loving, stable living environment to maintain their emotional health
- Whether you or the child’s other parent are better suited to help your child with their physical, developmental, educational, and other needs
- How well you and the child’s other parent get along and whether you can cooperate with each other for the child’s sake
- Any history of substance abuse by you or the child’s other parent
- You and the other parent’s mental and medical health and that of the members of your household
- Any other factors the courts deem relevant
After evaluating all these factors, the courts will determine a custody arrangement that they think best meets your child’s needs. This arrangement could involve both you and the other parent sharing custody, one of you having sole legal custody while splitting physical custody, or any other arrangement the courts deem appropriate.
Protecting your child’s future and your relationship with them requires a dedicated and knowledgeable lawyer. Attorney Dawn K. Gull can gather evidence to ensure your continued involvement in your child’s life and present a compelling case to the courts. Call the Law Offices of Dawn K. Gull now or reach out online for a confidential consultation.