Central Pennsylvania Child Custody and Visitation Lawyers
Child custody is one of the most emotional of all the legal issues associated with legal separation and/or divorce. Custody may be defined in both "legal" and "physical" terms.
- Legal custody determines both the right to make important decisions regarding the health, safety, and welfare of the child-such as education, religion, and medical care.
- Physical custody, on the other hand, refers to what party will have the actual physical custody of the child-whether partial, shared, joint, or primary.
Visitation is a completely separate term that is not used in defining custody, but rather the right of the non-custodial parent to visit the child while he or she is in the physical custody of the other parent.
Much has changed since the family lawyers at Shaffer & Engle Law Offices, LLC, opened our family law practice in 1951. But one thing will always be the same-custody of a minor child is a very difficult and trying issue. Although every parent want what is best for their children, it sometimes takes a skilled child custody attorney to help make this possible.
Contact the Shaffer & Engle Law Offices, LLC in Millersburg or Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to discuss your rights as a parent and the interests of your family.
Factors Involved in a Decision for Child Custody
In making an order for custody or partial custody, the court must consider the child's best interests, as well as any other factors which may have a legitimate impact on the child's physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being. Further, it is important for the court to at least attempt to determine the child's preference. The weight to be given by the court to the child's preference will vary according to the child's age, intellect, and maturity. As the child grows older, more weight will be given to his/her preference.
Other factors that will bear on the court's decision to award primary, partial, or joint physical custody to a parent include:
- Continuity and stability
- Evidence of child abuse
- Current household/living conditions
- Disrespect for the legal process-contempt of prior court orders
- Income of the parties-is one party completely unable to care for the child?
- Parental agreements
- Psychological bonding
- Work schedules
- Race
- Religion
- Natural parents
As experienced family law attorneys, we know that child custody and visitation is often the most contentious battle in any divorce case. Unfortunately, parents often end up losing sight of what is best for their children as emotions flair and fear of an unknown future guides their thinking.
At Shaffer & Engle Law Offices, LLC we never forget that we not only represent one of the parents in a custody or visitation case, but we also represent the best interest of a child. If your pending divorce will involve visitation rights, contact the Pennsylvania child custody attorneys at Shaffer & Engle Law Offices, LLC. Call toll-free: 866-765-0706.
