Prepare For Your Custody Court Case

Our Pennsylvania Child Custody and Visitation Law Lawyers Accept child custody and
visitation cases involving mothers and fathers (parents), grandparents, stepparents, and non-traditional couples
(gay and lesbian matters. Our Pittsburgh lawyers practice in a wide geographica area throughout Western
Pennsylvania, including Beaver County, Washington County and Allegheny County, such as Shadyside, East
Liberty, Monroeville, Bellevue, Avalon, Fox Chapel, McKeesport, Carnegie, East Liberty, Carson Street, Dormont,
the North Side, South Side, and the surrounding areas.

Outside of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County? No Problem. We handle case in Beaver, Butler,
and Washington Counties. In Beaver County, we handle matters in Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Ambridge, Baden,
Beaver, Big Beaver, Bridgewater, Conway, Darlington, East Rochester, Eastvale, Economy, Ellwood City,
Fallston, Frankfort Springs, Freedom, Georgetown, Glasgow, Homewood, Hookstown, Industry, Koppel, Midland,
Monaca, New Brighton, New Galilee, Ohioville, Patterson, Heights, Rochester, Shippingport, South Heights, West
Mayfield, Townships, Brighton Township, Erie, Center Township, Chippewa, Township, Darlington Township,
Daugherty Township, Franklin Township, Greene Township, Hanover Township, Harmony Township, Hopewell
Township, Independence Township, Marion Township, New Sewickley Township, North Sewickley Township,
Patterson, Township, Potter Township, Pulaski Township, Raccoon Township, Rochester Township, South Beaver
Township, and Vanport Township; Washington County, Pennsylvania: Allenport, Burgettstown, Canonsburg,
Donora, East Washington, McDonald, Donegal Township, Hanover Township, Hopewell Township, Independence
Township, North Strabane Township, Nottingham Township.

Our Pittsburgh Attorneys litigate claims for child custody (grandparent, parent, father, mother, step
parent, interstate), dependency hearings, buse), and we look forward to bring your child custody matter to an
efficient and reasonable resolution. In fact, your Pittsburgh lawyer should look for an early resolution of all calims
involving custody and visitation. We take into account the number of over nights, medical coverage available, tax
consequences for the payor and payee parent, and whether payments will come out of one's pay checks (through
the PACSES system) or whether the the payer will write a check each month.

Prepare for Court
If the parties cannot reach an agreement about
custody, they need to be prepared in the event the
custody case goes to trial. In determining a
custody arrangement, the court must consider
"best interests of the child", and the Judge will
attempt to give custody to the parent who will
provide the best environment and upbringing for the
children. To succeed in your custody case, you
will need to prove to the judge that it is in the best
interest of the children to be with you, or that the
schedule you are seeking, if only seeking partial
custody, is reasonable under the circumstances.

The Judge will evaluate each parties' parenting
skills and daily interactions with the children.
Documentation and testimony from witnesses is
necessary to back up the parental capabilities.

When possible, try to keep detailed, consistent
records, such as a diary, in child custody cases.
You should note your history of the caring for the
child, each parties' past and present
responsiblities, times spent with the child and
positives and negatives of both parties' relationship
with the child.

Some Suggestions:
1-Keep a record of your activities with the children
to help show that you are involved in your
children's life on a daily and regular basis.

2-Frequently be present during school activities,
such as parent-teacher meetings, assemblies,
school plays, and musicals. Interact with your
child's teacher and office support staff in an
ongoing manner. Keep good records of your own
attendance.

3-Take responsibility for taking your child to the
doctor or dentist. This will show that you are the
true caregiver and it will make you familiar with
your child's life in a manner that will make your
more credible on the witness stand.

4 Encourage your child's involvement in church
and family activities. This will help prove that you
are providing for your child's moral upbringing.

5-Do more than just take vacations with your child.
However, taking your child on vacations will help
your case. Feel free to take your children on
vacations and outings to show that you spend
quality time with your children. If possible take
pictures and keep mementos for extra
documentation.

6-Get independent witnesses who have observed
you interact with your child over a long period of
time to support that you are a good parent. This
includes neighbors, relatives, teachers, doctors,
child-care workers, and other members of the
community.

To establish that the other parent is not suitable to
be the primary caretaker, the key documentation
is as follows:

1-The size of his or her home. Can it
accommodate a child given the number of other
residents?

2-Evidence of an overwhelming work schedule that
restricts interaction with the children;

3-Disruption and interference with custody, or
visitation times;

4-Events of domestic violence, such as police
records, photos of bruises, etc;

5-Significant convictions - DUI jail time, or proof of
drug use;

6-Evidence of mental illness, treatment, and
refusal to accept treatment;

7-Behavior that might endanger or could be
detrimental to the child;

8-Any statements the children have made about
neglectful, inappropriate, alienating or abusive
conduct by the other parent.

9-Notes, letters, and email made by the other
parent.

10-the other parent's testimony in other cases
(such as a PFA hearing) as it might relate to
parenting skills, anger issues, or other matters.