5 Common Sense Child Custody Tips for PA Parents
Pennsylvania child custody cases can be extremely stressful and emotionally draining on all of the parties involved, including the children themselves. PA child custody matters often involve many complex legal, situational and personal factors. While each child custody case is unique, my experience as a Montgomery County, PA family lawyer has allowed me to compile a list of five practical tips to share with Pennsylvania parents facing custody issues.
Retain a Competent PA Family Lawyer
The most important tip that I can offer anyone seeking child custody in Pennsylvania is to hire an experienced family law attorney who is competent. Issues involving the custody and visitation of your children are far too important for you to handle without a skilled professional. You’ll want to find a family lawyer who is very familiar with PA’s child custody law, and you’ll benefit from an attorney who has real-life, practical experience handling child custody cases in your county.
Be Completely Honest with Your Family Law Attorney
It is very important that you be completely honest with the PA family law attorney you hire to represent you. Failure to do so will only benefit the other parent. Share everything with your lawyer. Lying, or even failing to provide the complete truth by leaving out embarrassing details, can destroy your Pennsylvania child custody case. Your credibility will be shattered – in the eyes of the Court, your attorney, and the attorney for the other side. In addition, lying to your attorney leaves him or her vulnerable to looking like a fool in front of the judge and the lawyer for the other side. Your attorney must be equipped with all information relevant to your case if you wish to succeed.
Keep Your Cool
In any case where child custody is involved, emotions are bound to be flying high. This is especially true when dealing with a bitter divorce or a high conflict parent. It is imperative that you maintain a calm, cool demeanor and that you handle every situation with poise, regardless of what frustrations, obstacles, etc. are thrown in your way, Often, my clients complain of the opposing parent purposefully instigating conflict in an effort to elicit an emotional reaction. This is a common tactic that is likely to test your resolve, but be sure not to let your emotions get the best of you. Emotional outbursts will be used against you by the other side, and can even alienate your children.
One of the biggest mistakes those seeking custody make is appearing calm and collected in person, but acting out through Facebook, email, or other online communication. This will come back to haunt you. It is extremely important that you maintain a stable presence in your dealing with others at all times – watch how you act and what you say in front of your children, their teachers, other parents, neighbors, and especially on the internet. PA divorce and child custody lawyers are very comfortable with online research, and they will not hesitate to use any statements you make as evidence against you.
Remember What (Who) Is Most Important
In too many child custody cases, parents become so emotionally entrenched in “winning” the custody battle that they begin to lose focus on the wellbeing of their children. Sometimes parents even seek an order based solely on anger or resentment toward the other parent. This will do nothing but damage your long-term relationship with your children.
When a family law court decides child custody issues in PA, its decisions are governed by Pennsylvania’s child custody law, Act 112 of 2010. The PA child custody law establishes the factors to be considered in the best interests of the child. Before any PA child custody proceeding, both parents need to be honest with themselves and take the time to think about what is truly best for the child or children involved. Learn more about PA’s child custody law, Act 112 of 2010.
Don’t Sign Anything Your Attorney Hasn’t Read First
It happens all the time: you and your spouse have been arguing for weeks or months over custody, and both of you are feeling the emotional and financial toll of the negotiations. Suddenly, your spouse contacts you and presents a solution that seems to work for everyone. Your spouse then presents you with a simple agreement and asks for your signature. “Let’s leave the lawyers out of this one,” he or she says, citing the time and money you’ll save by simply signing now. Knowing that you could stand to save time and money, you think about signing the agreement.
DON’T make this mistake. The potential consequences of signing a document without ample attorney review can be catastrophic. This is particularly true when the document in question addresses such critical issues as the custody and visitation of your children. Family law attorneys are specially trained to draft and review contracts regarding child custody and parental rights. Only a professional can determine whether what you are signing says what you think it says. If a provision has been left out, either accidentally or on purpose, you are still bound to the terms of the signed agreement. Provisions that are often overlooked include: holiday and vacation schedules; after-school activities and their respective fees; sports practices, games and tournaments; summer camp; participation in religious activities; sleepovers with friends; college visitations; moving; and the list goes on. A family law attorney’s expertise in this regard is invaluable. Simply, do not sign any document that your attorney has not reviewed on your behalf.
Contact an experienced Pennsylvania child custody lawyer.
Jason Martin, Esq. is an experienced PA family law attorney who assists clients seeking divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support and alimony in Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County and Philadelphia County. Contact The Martin Law Firm for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.