Pennsylvania courts make child custody determinations in accordance with the best interests of the involved children. The law, however, also recognizes that children’s needs evolve and that circumstances change. If the circumstances relevant to your child custody arrangement have changed substantially, a post-divorce modification may be granted. Discuss your unique situation with our experienced Johnstown, PA, child custody attorneys at Silverman, Tokarsky & Forman, L.L.C., today.
To Modify Your Current Child Custody Arrangements, You Must Petition the Court
It’s important to emphasize that, if you need your child custody terms modified, you must petition the court. The orders that are currently in place are legally binding. This means that taking the matter into your own hands or making arrangements with your ex, but failing to finalize it with the court, can leave you in contempt of court.
If You’ve Reached an Agreement with Your Ex
Child custody modification cases are heard at the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas in Ebensburg. If you and your ex have hammered out mutually agreeable terms between yourselves, you can generally expect the court to implement the changes you’ve settled on.
If You and Your Children’s Other Parent Are Not on the Same Page
If you and your ex are not in agreement regarding a modification, Cambria County requires either mediation or a conciliation session before a formal custody hearing will be scheduled. As the parent who filed for the modification, you’ll need to prove that it’s warranted, and a knowledgeable child custody lawyer is standing by to help.
Proving that a Material Change Has Occurred
The child custody orders that are currently in place were determined by the court to uphold your children’s best interests. As a result, something significant must have changed since the current terms were handed down that warrants a modification.
Examples of changes that often reach the level required by the court include all the following:
- A move that is a considerable distance away, and the matter of how it will affect the child’s overall stability and well-being, important relationships, and education
- A change in the child’s physical, educational, emotional, or healthcare needs
- A risk factor that puts the child’s safety in jeopardy, such as child abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or failure to adequately protect them from harm
- The preferences of the child, if they are mature enough to voice them
- A parent’s refusal to co-parent effectively
- A parent who had resolved a concern that limited their original child custody terms, such as successfully overcoming an addiction
Reach out to a trusted Johnstown prenuptial Lawyer for the help you need today.
Our Experienced Johnstown Child Custody Lawyers Are on Your Side
Our dedicated Johnstown child custody attorneys at Silverman, Tokarsky & Forman appreciate the significance of your child custody modification case, and we are committed to helping you obtain favorable terms that serve you and your children well. Learn more by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 814-536-8600 today.
