Child Custody in Bucks County, PA

Client Review (Doylestown Child Custody) – “I can’t thank you enough for all you are doing for me. It is so important to me that I have a loving relationship with my son. You are making this relationship possible. Thank you so very much.” ~ Gregory R. See more client reviews.

Child Custody Lawyers in Doylestown and Newtown

Compassionate Lawyers to Help You & Your Children

Matters of child custody are naturally of great concern to divorcing and separated parents. Long after the divorce decree has been issued, child custody issues can continue to be a source of friction between parents. In the long run, children are the ones who are hurt the most and in many instances it affects their lives as adults.

It is vital for each parent to maintain loving relationships with their children before, during and after the divorce. Our lawyers understand that their role is to minimize the hurtful impact of the custody battles on our clients’ children by being reasonable and fair advocates. We work to achieve child custody arrangements that are practical, fair, and in the best interests of the children. We represent clients in matters involving:

• Establishment of child custody orders (awards of primary custody, equal custody, and partial custody)
• Modifications to existing custody orders
• Parental relocations
• Grandparent visitation
• Contempt of child custody orders

How is Child Custody Determined in Doylestown and Newtown, PA?

Courts in Pennsylvania always seek child custody arrangements that are in the best interest of the child. That said, there are significant differences between counties, such as Bucks County and Montgomery County, and different judges can interpret things in different ways. As highly experienced family law attorneys and divorce lawyers, we understand these differences and the criteria that different courts use to make their decisions. We are persuasive advocates who will use the law and our knowledge to achieve optimal child custody arrangements. Oftentimes, we can negotiate a solution with the attorney for the other parent. However, we are prepared to assertively litigate, when it is necessary to protect the rights and interests of our clients. Whether it involves a temporary or permanent child custody arrangement, a modification to an existing custody order, a proposed parental relocation, or any other child custody matter in Doylestown, Newtown and other areas in Bucks County, Zlock & Grisillo will work to achieve your goals as a parent, all while protecting your and you children’s interests.

In addition to being profoundly important to those involved, custody is one of the most complex, intricate and ongoing issues that arises in Pennsylvania family law. As an initial matter, it is important to understand the difference between the various types of “custody.”

• “Legal custody”: the right to make major decisions on behalf of the child, including, but not limited to, medical, religious and educational decisions.
  1. “Sole legal custody”: the right of one individual to exclusive legal custody of the child.
  2. “Shared legal custody”: the right of more than one individual to legal custody of the child.
• “Physical custody”: the actual physical possession and control of a child.
  1. “Sole physical custody”: the right of one individual to exclusive physical custody of the child.
  2. “Primary physical custody”: the right to assume physical custody of the child for a majority of the time.
  3. “Shared physical custody”: the right of more than one individual to assume physical custody of the child, with each individual having significant periods of physical custodial time with the child.
  4. “Partial physical custody”: the right to assume physical custody of the child for less than a majority of the time.
• “Visitation”: whenever this term appears in other statutes, it may mean partial physical custody, shared physical custody, or supervised physical custody.

Additionally, Pennsylvania courts must consider a substantial number of factors in awarding any form of custody. The statute sets forth 15 specific factors for the court to consider, with the 16th factor allowing the court to consider any relevant factor (with the exception of gender, as the custody determination must be gender neutral). Moreover, before fashioning a custody award, the court might order the child(ren) and/or the parties to submit to, and fully participate in, an evaluation by an appropriate expert or experts to produce a report with a recommendation of the custody arrangements going forward. In Bucks County, PA, for example, the preparation of such an evaluation often is delegated to the Court Conciliation and Evaluation Service of Bucks County. With respect to the role of custody and family law attorneys as it relates to the custody evaluation process, whether through CCES or with a private evaluator, they prepare their clients for the custody evaluation process, so as to make sure they get the most benefit from it. Thereafter, once the custody evaluation report and recommendation is completed, the attorneys will help their clients to correctly interpret same and to prepare for the subsequent court hearing, by addressing the concerns and statements of the evaluator, particularly not the favorable ones, in such a context as to minimize their negative impact on the court decision.