Montgomery County Child Custody Lawyers

Knowledgeable PA Custody Attorneys Protecting and Promoting the Best Interests of Your Child in Montgomery County & Bucks County

When parents divorce or separate, the children’s best interests take priority. If you have questions about a child custody issue or are engaged in a dispute over custody or visitation, the experienced family law attorneys at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C. are here to help.

We have over 65 years of experience helping families in Montgomery County establish child custody arrangements. We understand making these decisions can be intimidating, but you do not have to go through it alone. We are here to help you understand what types of child custody Pennsylvania offers, how child support works, and what solutions are available to you.

What Are the Different Kinds of Child Custody in Pennsylvania?

When coming up with a child custody arrangement in Pennsylvania, it is important to understand the different types of child custody the state offers. Child custody is divided into two categories: physical and legal. Each type of custody has different subcategories within it available to parents. We are here to help you understand these types of child custody to determine which arrangement works best for you.

Physical Custody

Physical custody determines where the child or children will live after the divorce or separation. Types of physical custody in Pennsylvania include the following:

• Confirmation of custody: This type of custody involves filing a motion to the judge to make the current custody arrangement legally binding. If an individual is a custodial parent, a custody order is not in place, the other parent agrees with the arrangement, or the other parent is not involved in the children’s lives, they may seek this type of custody.
• Primary custody: In this arrangement, one parent has all or a majority of the custody of the child or children. The non-custodial parent may have to pay child support in this case.
• Shared custody: This involves both parents spending equal time with the child or children to maintain frequent contact. This may include alternating weeks and weekends.
• Partial custody: In this arrangement, the non-custodial parent spends a specific amount of time with the child or children, like every other weekend, for example.
• Sole custody: This type of custody arrangement involves only one parent having custody of the child or children.
• Supervised partial physical custody: With this arrangement, a parent, agency, or appointed adult oversees another parent’s time with the child or children.

While these physical custody options establish the child or children’s living and visiting arrangements, they do not determine who will make significant life decisions on the child or children’s behalf.

Legal Custody

Pennsylvania offers two types of legal child custody for parents to figure out who has the authority to make major decisions for their child or children, like education, religion, and medical and legal matters. These legal custody options include the following:

• Primary legal custody: This legal custody involves only one parent making all decisions.
• Shared legal custody: Both parents must agree on all major decisions with this type of legal custody.

We understand that all of these choices may be overwhelming. Our attorneys can work with you and listen to your story to determine the best path forward for you and your family.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, child support is determined using the Income Shares Model. The Income Shares Model is built on the premise that child support should reflect the same proportion of parental income as if the parents lived together. This method requires each parent’s share of the basic support obligation to be proportional to their monthly net income. 

Essentially, the process of calculating child support using this model involves the following steps:

• Evaluating each parent’s income
• Adjusting for alimony/spousal support
• Bringing both incomes together
• Calculating each parent’s contribution
• Reviewing the child support schedule
• Taking the baseline child support and multiplying it by the contribution percentage
• Making provisions for additional expenses

Pennsylvania is one of the forty-one states that use the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. Whether you are the custodial parent or non-custodial parent, you should understand how this process works and what factors will be considered when calculating support. 

Anyone filing for child support or who has had a support case filed against them may benefit from working with a child custody lawyer. Our highly skilled attorneys may be able to answer all your child support questions.

How a Child Custody Lawyer Can Help You Find a Child Custody Solution

At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C., our lawyers handle a wide range of family law problems, including child custody and visitation. In Pennsylvania, shared custody is becoming more and more common as courts recognize the need for both parents to have significant time with their children. It is essential to have sound legal advice to ensure that your needs and your child’s needs are met.

We help our clients establish child custody arrangements and the following related matters:

• Custody schedules: Visitation rights will set the groundwork for the family relationships moving forward. We can help you create a schedule that suits your interests and those of your child.
• Relocation issues: Before a child can go through a significant relocation, the custodial parent must first receive permission.
• Child support: Our attorneys will help ensure that the child support agreement is fair and appropriate.
• Modification and enforcement of orders: If your custody orders are no longer appropriate for your living situation, it may be time to pursue a modification. We also assist with enforcement actions.

Our attorneys understand the sensitive nature of these legal issues and may help handle your case with care and attention to detail. When disputes arise over child custody or visitation, we may work to help you resolve them amicably. We are adept at resolving disputes through negotiation and also offer mediation services. When courtroom action is necessary, we are fully prepared to meet your needs.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Child Custody Attorney at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C.

If you are getting divorced or separated, we understand the stress of finding the best child custody solution. We are here to help you and your family develop a plan that works best for you and your children, as their best interests are your top priority.
At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C., we have decades of family law experience in the Montgomery County area. We are well-versed in Pennsylvania’s child custody laws, and our trustworthy attorneys have the skills to take on any type of custody case to help achieve the best outcome possible. Give us a call at (215) 822-7575 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.