The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania makes child custody determinations based on the best interests of the children involved. To do so, it turns to best-interest factors, streamlined down to 12 primary concerns. The safety factors are weighted, meaning judges prioritize them over other factors. Having a better understanding of how this works can help you better protect your rights as a parent. Another important early step is consulting with our experienced Pittsburgh child custody attorney at The Law Offices of Dawn K. Gull early on.
The Weighted Factors: Prioritizing Children’s Safety in Pittsburgh
Your child custody case in Pittsburgh will be heard by the Allegheny County Family Division Child Custody Department, which is located at the Family Law Center in Pittsburgh. The presiding judge will pay special attention to the weighted safety factors.
The Children’s Safety
The safety of the children involved is paramount, and courts are committed to determining whether one parent is better prepared, better able, or more committed to keeping the children safe.
Any History of Abuse
Pennsylvania courts pay special attention to any history of domestic abuse, violent behavior, protection orders, and child abuse or neglect. This extends to any involvement by child protective services.
Commitment to Co-Parenting
Pittsburgh courts also recognize the primary importance of effective co-parenting in relation to both the safety and overall well-being of the children. If one parent demonstrates significantly more ability and motivation to foster the other parent’s close and ongoing relationship with the children, without risking the children’s safety, the court will take note.
Factors that Affect the Stability of the Home
The court will also turn to a pared-down list of factors that help determine each parent’s suitability to support the children in their daily lives and provide them with a stable home. These include:
- Each parent’s level of involvement in actively raising the children so far
- Each parent’s ability and commitment to maintaining effective routines for the children in terms of home, schooling, and community
- The reasoned preferences of those children who are considered mature enough to weigh in
- The bonds between the children and extended family members in their orbit
- The distance that the parents’ homes are from one another
- Each parent’s work schedule, availability in relation to the children, and plans for childcare when required
- Any history of alcohol or drug abuse or any serious mental or physical health concerns on the part of either parent
Having a dedicated child custody lawyer in your corner from the start can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
Our Experienced Pittsburgh Child Custody Lawyer Can Help
Dawn Gull is our knowledgeable Pittsburgh child custody attorney at The Law Offices of Dawn K. Gull, and she is committed to building a strong case that supports your child custody priorities. The outcome of your case is too important to leave to chance, so please don’t put off reaching out for more information by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 412-440-5718 today.