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301 Oxford Valley, Suite 1902A, Yardley, PA 19067

Bucks County Child Custody Attorneys Assert Your Custodial Rights

Pennsylvania law firm litigates legal and physical custody issues

For divorcing, as well as unmarried, parents, maintaining a relationship with their children is a primary concern. The Law Offices of Jennifer Courtney & Associates, P.C. works to alleviate your fears about your access to your children and your authority as a parent. Our decades of experience in family law enable us to represent you aggressively and effectively. The overriding principle of the courts when adjudicating child custody is “the best interest of the child.” We are your advocates, asserting your interests and working towards a resolution that supports your goals. Your desire is to maintain a loving relationship with your children. Our job is to fight for the legal framework that allows that relationship to flourish.

Pursuing child custody agreements that empower our clients to be parents

In many situations it is possible to negotiate a custody agreement that avoids a court hearing. The agreement governs how parents make decisions about the child’s health, welfare and education, and includes matters such as religion, medical care and school activities. The agreement also memorializes the residence schedule, including specific times and places for visitation or transfer of physical custody. The agreement specifies a holiday and vacation schedule, and outlines how parents can make temporary changes to the plan as the need arises. Our experienced attorneys are adept at managing all phases of this process, even when they involve apparently insurmountable custody issues like out-of-state relocation.

Representing mothers and fathers in child custody cases

To understand the variety of different custody arrangements available to Pennsylvania families, you must first understand the terms the Commonwealth uses. For example a “child” is any un-emancipated person under the age of 18. Other terms include:

  • Legal custody. This is the right to make major decisions affecting the best interests of the child, including medical, religious and educational decisions.
  • Physical custody. This is the actual physical possession and control of the child.
  • Sole physical custody. When one parent or person has the exclusive right to provide a residence for the child.
  • Primary custody. This is the legal right to have physical custody of a child for the majority of the time.
  • Partial custody. Here, a parent has physical custody of a child for less than half of the time.
  • Shared physical custody. Also known as joint custody, this arrangement allows each parent to possess the child for roughly 50 percent of the time.
  • Visitation. This is the right to spend time with the child without removing the child from the control of the custodial parent.

We counsel our clients to set realistic goals in custody disputes that consider the needs of the child, the fitness of the other parent, their own availability, their career commitments and their desired lifestyle. Once you have determined your goals for custody, our divorce lawyers advocate aggressively to achieve your desired outcome.

Call our Bucks County child custody lawyers for advice on parental rights

Don’t let your relationship with your children become a casualty of divorce. At The Law Offices of Jennifer Courtney & Associates, P.C., we are determined to provide effective representation in child custody disputes. To discuss your parental rights with a skilled and empathetic attorney, call 215.493.3360 or contact us online to arrange a consultation.