Now that you and your spouse have decided to divorce, you may find yourself considering many issues before you go to court. Some of these issues may include the house, possessions, alimony, child support and child custody.
The last concern may be one of the most difficult for you to decide. After all, you are deciding where your children will be staying at different times of the month. Holiday visits may be one of the most difficult to decide.
Making child custody decisions may not be easy
Child custody decisions mean that you and your spouse have to decide how you are going to divide your children’s time between the two of you. Will the children spend part of the school week with their other parent? How will you and your children handle holidays?
You may be given the responsibility of discussing and agreeing on custody arrangements. If you and your spouse are not able to make the determination, the judge will make that decision.
Child custody laws in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s child custody laws focus only on what is in the best interest of the child. These laws cover visitation, child support and the custody of the children. These laws have been written to reflect the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.
Child custody laws were written with the knowledge that this decision may be one of the most emotional ones that divorcing parents may have to make.
Factors the judge uses to decide on child custody for your family
Your judge takes their time in deciding on child custody arrangements for your children. The law requires that they keep several considerations in mind as they do so. These include the parents’ locations; family relationships; the wishes of the children; and finally, the mental and physical conditions of you and your spouse.
