Child custody cases are legally complicated and are often fraught with emotion. While child custody determinations in Pennsylvania are always based on the best interests of the involved children, there are a range of factors that guide court rulings. Your child’s preference on the matter may be carefully considered, but it is unlikely that it will be the deciding factor in your Greensburg case.
Protect your rights as a parent by consulting with our experienced Greensburg child custody attorney, Andrew F. Skala, Esq., early on.
Your Greensburg Child Custody Case
[Child custody](https://www.pacourts.us/learn/representing-yourself/custody-proceedings{:target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”} cases in Greensburg are filed with the Prothonotary’s Office at the Westmoreland County Courthouse, and the Family Court division will hear your case. It’s important to know that the weight assigned to your child’s preference will depend on several relevant variables. Further, the degree to which your child’s preference will play a role in your case’s outcome will be established in relation to additional factors.
A Specific Age Doesn’t Apply
All the following factors help PA courts determine if a child’s preference regarding child custody will be considered, and if so, how much weight it will bear:
- The child’s age
- The child’s level of maturity
- The reasoning behind the child’s preference
There is no specific age at which a child magically becomes mature enough to participate in the process. Instead, each case must be considered on an individual basis. While judges often take the preferences of children who are at least 12 years old into account, this isn’t always the case.
If the child’s reasoning is thoughtful, well-considered, and convincing, it could be a deciding factor in how the case is resolved. If, on the other hand, the child’s input seems to be guided by either parent’s influence or is less well grounded, it’s unlikely to carry much weight.
Best Interest Factors
In addition to the preferences of those children who are deemed mature enough to weigh in, the court will consider best interest factors like the following:
- The children’s needs and each parent’s ability and willingness to meet them
- The depth of each parent’s relationship with the children
- How well the status quo, or the children’s current living situation, serves them in relation to home, schooling, and community
- Each parent’s willingness to accommodate each child’s close and ongoing relationship with their other parent
- Any concerns related to domestic violence, child abuse, or neglect
Don’t wait to discuss your case with a trusted child custody lawyer.
Our Experienced Greensburg Child Custody Lawyer Has the Focus and Compassion to Help
Andrew Skala, our knowledgeable Greensburg child custody attorney at Andrew F. Skala, Esq., dedicates his impressive practice to fierce advocacy on behalf of our valued clients, and he’s here for you, too. Your case is important, so please don’t put off reaching out for more information about everything we can do to help by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 724-493-9044 today.