Third-Party Custody Lawyer in Johnstown, PA

Third-Party Custody in Pennsylvania determines who a child’s legal father is, and if the parents are not married at the time of the child’s birth, it can be a complicated legal matter. Resolving the issue of Third-Party Custody can be very important to all the parties involved, which makes it in your best interest to protect your related rights from the outset. Our experienced Johnstown Third-Party Custody lawyers at Silverman, Tokarsky & Forman, L.L.C., welcome the opportunity to help you navigate the challenging path forward.

Establishing Third-Party Custody in Johnstown

The Parents Are Married

When parents are married at the time of a child’s birth or when a child is born within 300 days of the dissolution of a marriage, the husband is presumed to be the child’s legal father. This presumption can be challenged by either party, and resulting cases are generally resolved through genetic testing.

The Parents Sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Custody

If the parents are not married at the time of a child’s birth, but they are both in agreement regarding Third-Party Custody, they can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Third-Party Custody in the hospital following the child’s birth. This acknowledgment, which is a legal declaration of the child’s custody and has the same authority as a court order, can also be filed with the state later date.

DNA Testing Is Ordered

When either the mother or the potential father of a child disagrees on the matter of Third-Party Custody, they can request that the court order genetic testing. If the test results indicate that the man is at least a 99 percent match, he becomes the child’s presumed father.

The Benefits of Establishing Third-Party Custody

Establishing Third Party Custody can enrich the lives of everyone involved. Consider all the following benefits:

• The mother is likely to receive financial relief in the form of child support and to share the challenges of parenting with the child’s father.
• The father is able to forge a close, loving relationship with the child that is mutually beneficial and rewarding.
• The child may benefit from relationships with members of their father’s extended family, including their grandparents on that side.
• The child can directly benefit from the father’s work-related insurance coverage, veteran’s benefits, life insurance, and any other benefits that apply.

Prevailing wisdom finds that children’s best interests are best served when they have both parents in their lives, which highlights the importance of establishing custody.

Discuss Your Case with our Experienced Johnstown Third-Party Custody Attorneys Today

If you have questions or concerns about Third Party Custody, it is important to take the matter seriously. Our seasoned Third-Party Custody lawyers at Silverman, Tokarsky & Forman, have a track record of effectively and efficiently resolving challenging custody cases, and we’re here for you, too. Learn more about everything we can do to help you by reaching out and contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 814-536-8600 today.