Lancaster County Parenting Time Attorneys
Any divorce can be stressful, challenging and full of second-guessing. A divorce with children has extra layers of worries and concern about doing the right thing. "Am I doing the right thing?" is a normal and valid question when important decisions are made about your kids.
Marriage and family counselors can help parents and children manage the emotional parts of divorce. An experienced, knowledgeable and caring family lawyer can guide the family through the legal aspects, including resolution of disputes between the divorcing parents.
To speak with our compassionate Lebanon child custody attorneys, please call (717) 459-4228 or toll free (888) 364-8169. You can also contact our law firm online.
Physical Custody, Legal Custody, Visitation and Child Support
In Pennsylvania, there are many things to consider when developing a custody plan. At Montgomery & Zimmerer, L.L.C., we will help you understand the options, including:
- Physical custody: refers to where your child will actually live most of the time
- Legal custody: refers to parents' rights to make major decisions for children, including religion, education and major medical needs
- Parenting time or visitation: refers to time that the non-custodial parent spends with the child
- The number of overnights that a child has with each parent will have bearing on amounts of child support to be paid.
Things to Know About Child Custody
Child custody is truly an individual, family-specific area of the law. You, the other parent and your children most likely know what type of arrangement is in the children's best interests better than anyone else could. It is up to you as a parent to assert your legal rights while doing all that you can to protect your child. We are here to help you do exactly that.
- In the case of custody disputes, a home study may be required to help determine the best interests of the child.
- If you or any adult in the household has had problems with drugs, alcohol or domestic violence, a new Pennsylvania law will affect child custody proceedings.
- It is rare for legal custody to be taken away from either parent.
- If you are in the military, this fact should not affect your child custody and visitation rights. Ask an attorney to advise you in these circumstances.
- Be aware that your county may require you to take parenting classes to learn practical skills related to shared parenting by separated parents.
- Also know that failure to comply with child custody and visitation orders may put a parent in contempt of court.
Our Central Pennsylvania Child Custody Lawyers Are Here to Listen and Help
The child-centered family law practice of Montgomery & Zimmerer, L.L.C., is here to help you protect your parental rights as well as your children's best interests. Your family law needs are the reason we are here. Contact us to schedule a consultation about any aspect of child custody, child support and answers to questions such as, "Should I move out and take the children?"
