An Overview of Pennsylvania Child Custody Arrangements & Support Obligations
Child custody and support matters can be among the most challenging aspects of family law. At Margaret Zylka House, Attorney at Law, we specialize in helping families in Connellsville, PA, navigate these issues to ensure the best outcomes for their children.
Types of Child Custody Arrangements
Pennsylvania recognizes two main types of custody:
Legal Custody: This refers to the right to make important decisions about the child’s welfare, such as education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. Both parents often share legal custody, encouraging joint decision-making.
Physical Custody: This determines where the child lives, and which parent provides daily care. Physical custody can include:
Primary Custody: One parent has the child most of the time.
Shared Custody: Both parents have substantial, though not always equal, time with the child.
Partial Custody/Visitation: One parent has the child for shorter, specified periods, such as weekends or holidays.
The court prioritizes the best interests of the child when determining custody arrangements. Factors like each parent’s involvement, the child’s needs, and the ability to provide a stable environment are key considerations.
Understanding Child Support Obligations
Child support provides for the child’s financial well-being, covering essential needs like food, housing, education, and healthcare. In Pennsylvania, the system calculates support obligations based on:
Income: The calculation factors in both parents’ earnings.
Custody Arrangements: The time each parent spends with the child affects the amount of support.
Child’s Needs: The system considers expenses, such as medical care, extracurricular activities, and educational cost.
Typically, the non-custodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent. The court may adjust the amount to account for unique circumstances or shared custody arrangements.
Our attorneys understand the emotional and financial complexities of child custody and support cases. With personalized, compassionate legal counsel, we work to achieve resolutions that prioritize your child’s best interests while protecting your rights. Contact Margaret Zylka. House, Attorney at Law today for guidance on child custody or support matters and let us help you secure a fair and beneficial outcome for your family.
For more information on our legal services, contact us by calling (724) 628-4955. Follow us on Facebook for our latest news. Our attorneys are here to help parents understand Child Custody & Support in Pennsylvania-What You Need to Know.
