Child custody and support in Pennsylvania

Custody of the Children In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania awards both joint and sole custody, always working to preserve the best interests of the child. Joint custody will ensure that both parents are involved in the rearing of the child and can be available to make important decisions about the child’s welfare. However, it does not assure that both parents spend equal time with the child. When the best interests of the child are preserved, the court will typically go along with any plan the parents may agree upon in their uncontested divorce.

Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines

Pennsylvania has standard child support guidelines that will apply in almost every case, barring unique circumstances. In most cases, the gross incomes and child-related expenses are taken into account when calculating what child support payments will be owed. Payments are collected until the child reaches age 18, and they may be extended further.