Undertanding Child Custody in Pennsylvania
Child custody is a legal determination that assigns custodial rights for a child. In Pennsylvania, custody includes both legal custody—the authority to make significant decisions about the child’s welfare (like education, medical care, and religion)—and physical custody—where and with whom the child lives.
Types of Custody in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law provides several custody types to best suit the child’s needs and family circumstances:
| Custody Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Shared Physical Custody | Both parents share substantial time living with the child. |
| Primary Physical Custody | One parent has the majority of physical care; the other has visitation or partial parenting time. |
| Sole Physical Custody | One parent has exclusive physical care; the other parent may have negligible or no custody time. |
| Partial Physical Custody | One parent has limited physical time with the child. |
| Supervised Physical Custody | Visits occur only under the supervision of a third party or agency. |
| Shared Legal Custody | Both parents share decision-making responsibility over major aspects of the child’s life. |
| Sole Legal Custody | One parent alone makes major decisions affecting the child. |
How Courts Decide Custody in Pennsylvania
Courts base custody decisions on the best interest of the child. Some of the factors considered include:
- The child’s relationships with each parent
- Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s physical, emotional, educational, and medical needs
- Any history of abuse or domestic violence
- The child’s preference (depending on age and maturity)
- Which parent is more likely to encourage a positive relationship with the other parent
Custody orders are binding. Failing to follow them can result in contempt of court—leading to fines, probation, or even jail.
Why Custody Matters
Custody arrangements directly affect:
- Where the child lives and how often they see each parent
- Who makes key decisions about schooling, healthcare, and religion
- How responsibilities are shared in day-to-day parenting
Summary
In Pennsylvania, child custody covers both physical custody (where the child lives) and legal custody (who makes important decisions). Courts determine custody by focusing on the child’s best interests. Because custody orders are legally enforceable, parents should understand their rights and obligations to avoid serious legal consequences.
Need help with a Pennsylvania custody matter? The Skeen Firm is here to guide you. Contact us today for a consultation.
*Disclaimer: the advice provided is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. It should not be relied on, nor construed as creating an attorney-client relationship.