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  6.  | Changes In Pennsylvania Child Custody Law

Stay Updated With Pennsylvania Law

In January 2011, Pennsylvania’s Legislature passed a child custody law that could affect your ability to have contact with your children. It is important to speak with a trusted attorney if you have concerns.

At The Law Offices of Brian E. Quinn, we have thorough knowledge of custody law, and we are ready to help you understand how it affects your family. If you are a parent, your ability to have legal or physical custody may now be different. If you are a third party, perhaps a grandparent requesting custody or visitation, the law affects you, too. Whatever your needs, we will work hard to help you achieve your child custody goals.

To schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Philadelphia child custody lawyers, please call 215-545-3338 or toll free 866-657-7318. You can also contact our law firm online.

Two Important Features Of Pennsylvania Child Custody Law

Changes to the state’s child custody law affect Pennsylvania children and parents in a variety of ways. Our skilled Philadelphia attorneys can explain the details during your consultation, but we wanted to highlight two of the main issues addressed in the law:

Criminal charges and convictions: Courts must consider past criminal offenses of parents who are seeking custody. The law also requires courts to consider convictions of any member of the parent’s household (such as a boyfriend or girlfriend). Under the law, parental rights may be suspended while charges are pending – in other words, before a conviction. Before custody is decided, a court hearing will take place to determine whether the child would be safe in the household. The list of offenses has been expanded to include:

  • Violent crimes like aggravated assault and domestic violence
  • Drug offenses
  • DUI
  • Child endangerment
  • Sex crimes

Parental relocation: Custodial parents who want to move away with a child must complete several steps before the move will be allowed. This is especially true when the move would take the child to another state or otherwise make it difficult for the noncustodial parent to have contact with the child. The parent wanting to relocate must inform the other parent, who can then oppose the move in court. The relocating parent then must show how the move is beneficial for the child, not just for the parent.

Let Us Protect Your Parental Rights

To learn more about child custody law and how it may affect your family, we invite you to speak with our attorneys. For a free telephone consultation or to arrange a meeting at The Law Offices of Brian E. Quinn, call 215-545-3338. You can also contact our Philadelphia law firm online.

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