Child Custody

Philadelphia Child Custody Lawyer

When you are involved in a divorce and there are minor children, nothing is more important than your relationship with your children. You want a custody agreement that is in their best interests, that addresses their needs and concerns, but that also allows you to play a meaningful role in their growth and development. You want an experienced attorney to help you put together an effective parenting plan, one who has successfully worked with other parents in similar situations.

At the downtown Philadelphia Law Offices of Jensen Bagnato, P.C., a Professional Corporation, we have over 73 years of combined experience in family law matters, including child custody issues. Our lawyers take a common sense approach to custody, drawing from the experience and knowledge of all our attorneys, so that we can identify all your options as well as any challenges you face. We pride ourselves in our ability to implement creative and innovative solutions that help you get the outcome you want.

Child Custody, Child Support, and Divorce in Philadelphia

During and after your separation or divorce in Philadelphia your primary concern is likely to be for the welfare of your children. Certainly, the family courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey encourage parents to work out an agreement regarding custody and visitation through effective negotiations or useful mediation.

Because of our experience, we know that custody arrangements always work better when mutually agreed upon by the parents, rather than dictated by a judge. If you can’t agree on custody, the court will make a determination, taking into account 15 different social and economic factors, including the location of each parent’s home, the role of each parent as caregiver in the past, the quality of local schools, the finances of each parent, and, for older children, the preferences of the child.

Allow us to serve your needs by reviewing and weighing the importance of each factor in your case. Often we are able to help you design a plan that is reasonable and agreeable to both parties. If it is necessary to protect your relationship with your child, we are experienced and well-prepared to go to court to defend your parental rights. Not only will we defend your rights in custody cases, but also in child support matters.

Child Custody and the Extended Family

A battle over child custody may extend beyond the child’s parents and often will involve grandparents or other extended family members. In some cases, a child has been left temporarily with a relative. If the non-parent was voluntarily given the child and had custody for more than 12 months, that person stands in the place of the parent(s) in loco parentis. If a later custody dispute should arise, these factors are important to know and present to the court.

In other cases, grandparents may be seeking visitation privileges. Many children have profound relationships with their grandparents that are thwarted by others who seek to disrupt relationships that are important to the child. We help families in all areas of custody disputes. We know and excel at serving families in custody and support matters.

Types of Child Custody In Pennsylvania

If you are going through a divorce or separation you will want to know your child custody rights and the options in your state. The Philadelphia child custody attorneys at Jensen Bagnato, P.C. briefly cover the options you have. For a more details regarding your custody case contact our law firm for a consultation.

Sole Custody

The sole custody laws in Philadelphia are referred to as primary custody. This means that the one parent has custody the majority of the time of the child. If you have sole child guardianship you must also have legal custody to be the responsible party for the legal decisions of the child, or legal custody may be shared with the partial custody parent, this will be decided in your custody agreement.

Temporary Custody

Temporary custody in Philadelphia may be necessary in certain situations. If there is a suspicion or pending case of abuse for example, the responsible parent or family member may be granted temporary custody for the child’s safety until the case is decided by a judge. Temporary custody is typically only used in more unusual or special custody cases.

Partial Custody

If you have partial custody then you have the right to have visitation with the child at specific times, which is usually determined through mediation or through the litigation process.

Joint Custody

Joint custody can be worked out if both of the parents, or parties, can put aside their differences for the best interest of their children and equally share the custody and time with their children. Joint custody is when two parties, usually the mother and father, have equal custody of the children. The time for each parent is divided equally, and in accordance to Philadelphia custody laws the amount of time is determined by overnight stays. When two divorced parents have shared custody of the children it is important they are able to work out an equal schedule. The attorneys at Jensen Bagnato, P.C. are experienced at assisting parents come up with a fair agreement that can benefit both parties, and most of all the children. Due to the fact that the two parties have equal custody they are both responsible for the major decisions in their children’s lives. For example, while the child is with the one parent they will take responsibility for the minor decisions that occur during the time of their stay. However, if a more serious decision is required to be made by the parents such as medical, religious, or long-term decisions then both parents must come to an agreement that is in the child’s best interest.

Fighting For Child Custody In Philadelphia

Whether you are fighting for sole guardianship, joint guardianship, or partial guardianship, a custody battle can be draining on you as well as your children. If you are separating or divorcing and facing a child custody battle then contact the child custody attorneys in Philadelphia of Jensen Bagnato, P.C. for assistance.

Custody Guardianship in Mediation

The attorneys at Jensen Bagnato, P.C. suggest when fighting for child custody in Philadelphia, or any state, to try mediation first. In mediation both parents or parties have to come to a custody agreement that they both mutually agree on, the assistance of an attorney can make this process smoother. The experienced lawyers at the Jensen firm will assist you in trying to work out a custody agreement without going to court before a judge. They can help you agree on the terms and visitation schedules of sole guardianship, shared custody, or partial custody. They not only have experience with guardianship law but also understand that they are dealing with your most personal and prized possession: your children. Every family is different and therefore each family will have a different solution that is best for them. The Philadelphia child custody attorneys at Jensen law will help customize a resolution that benefits your children and your particular situation.

Custody Guardianship in Litigation

If both parties cannot come to a mutual agreement then you will continue through the child custody litigation process before a judge. The judge will take into account many different factors when choosing the guardianship and custody of the children. Therefore, having an attorney that is familiar and experienced with all forms of Philadelphia child custody battles can help protect your rights as a parent.

Child Custody Attorneys in Philadelphia

As a parent you have rights and laws behind you. Hiring the experienced child custody attorneys in Philadelphia of Erik B. Jensen can help take the stress out of your custody battle for you and your children.

Although both parties must be able to work together when it comes to their children to usually have joint custody it is still in the best interest of all involved to have a joint custody attorney representing you. Your lawyer is experienced with these difficult custody situations as well as the Philadelphia shared custody laws. Where your custody attorney is an outside source for help they can make the process of mediation smoother or represent you if your custody case needs to go litigation. Erik B. Jensen, child guardianship attorneys of Philadelphia, will assist you with your joint custody case, protecting your rights while benefiting the best interest for your children.

Child Custody Attorneys Serving Philadelphia

If you are separating or divorcing and are looking for joint, temporary, partial, or sole child custody attorneys in Philadelphia then contact Jensen Bagnato, P.C. The Philadelphia child custody attorneys at Erik B. Jensen are experienced in the different kinds of child custody lawsuits and specifically the custody laws in Philadelphia. Whether you need advice, mediation, or custody litigation assistance contact the law firm of Erik B. Jensen for a consultation, because your children matter most.