| The Pennsylvania custody laws are found in Title 23 | | | | in the child's best interest. These factors include: the |
| of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. These are | | | | character of the parents, the current living situation of |
| the guidelines and the rules that parents in | | | | the child, the parenting abilities, if the parents allow the |
| Pennsylvania must follow as they create their | | | | child to have access to the other parents, and if there |
| parenting plans. Here is a brief overview of some of | | | | has been any history of abuse or violence. Parents |
| the laws that parents should consider as they make a | | | | need to think about these factors when making a |
| custody agreement or plan for their custody situation. | | | | parenting plan. For example, it is unlikely that the court |
| 1. Pennsylvania parents should make a plan that is in | | | | will approve a plan where a parent suggests that no |
| the best interest of the child. In Part 5 of Title 23 in the | | | | time is given to the other parent. This isn't in the child's |
| Statutes, parents are advised that all of the decisions | | | | best interest and reflects poorly on the parenting |
| about child custody should be done based on what is | | | | abilities. |
| best for the child. As a mother and father make a | | | | 3. The Pennsylvania court has the final say in custody |
| custody agreement, they should determine physical | | | | matters. If parents are able to agree on their parenting |
| and legal custody based on what will best fulfill the | | | | plan or custody agreement, they can simply submit it |
| child's needs. The courts in Pennsylvania rigidly adhere | | | | to the court for approval. If they are not able to agree, |
| to this standard. | | | | the court will determine the plan. Once a judge |
| 2. Part 5 of the Pennsylvania Statutes contain the | | | | accepts a plan, the parents must follow it or they can |
| factors that the court considers when deciding what is | | | | be held in contempt of court. |