Types of Child Custody in PennsylvaniaOctober 6, 2021
Relationships don’t always end well. Even in situations that are civil, there are still many emotions involved in the process. When you throw children into the mix, it becomes even more complicated and emotional.
If you’re dealing with a child custody issue, it’s important that you understand the common types of child custody in Pennsylvania. Knowing what type you’re working with is vital to ensure the highest chances of success in your efforts when dealing with custody. For example, if you are involved in a custody dispute or trying to pursue custodial rights, knowing what type of custody you’re facing can help you choose which actions to take.
Today, we want to talk to you about the types of child custody in Pennsylvania to help you understand what type you’re dealing with:
Legal Custody vs. Physical Custody
In Pennsylvania, there are two types of child custody: legal custody and physical custody.
- Legal custody gives the parent the right to make decisions regarding the child or children, such as medical decisions, educational decisions, and religious decisions. It can even include things like what kind of sports the child or children will be part of and more.
- Primary Physical custody revolves around where, and with which parent, the child (or children) spends their time. More often than not, when you hear anyone say that they want custody over the children, they’re referring to physical custody.
Typically, when parents are separated, they will share physical custody of the children in some fashion. One parent may have the child or children with them more time than the other parent, which is referred to as primary physical custody.
In other situations, the child or children may spend equal time with both parents, which is referred to as equally shared physical custody. There are many different types of physical custody arrangements that can be in place depending on the parents’ particular situations.
In some rare cases, a parent may not be able to be with their kids without any supervision, which is known as supervised physical custody, or one parent may have sole physical custody, which is when the other parent may not be able to spend any time with their child or children.
Related Post: Filing for Emergency Child Custody in PA – What You Need to Know
Contact a Custody Lawyer in Harrisburg, PA
With all of that said, we hope you have a better idea of what custody can mean in the real world.
If you are facing difficulty dealing with custody, we highly recommend that you reach out to experienced attorneys to assist you. They can help you deal with custody more effectively, ensuring everything happens smoothly and accordingly.
If you require a child custody lawyer in Harrisburg, contact Daley Zucker today!
