A judge can award either sole or joint custody. Call our Family Law Hotline at 215-981-3838 for help. You should refer to this case ID anytime you need to obtain a status update on your child custody case. Pa. R.C.P. This guide is intended to give basic information under Pennsylvania law about custody of children and how to plan for and or deal with a change in circumstances due to a parent’s sudden or expected absence or inability to care for her/his children. A 54-page guide and an on-line quiz for teen parents about their rights and responsibilities when it comes to paternity, child custody, child support, protection from abuse, and emancipation. … Pay the filing fee. Debrina Washington is a New York-based family law attorney and writer, who runs her own virtual practice to assist single parents with legal issues. To ease the process of filing out and understanding all divorce forms in Pennsylvania, you can use an online divorce service like 3stepdivorce.com to have your paperwork completed in a few hours for $299. Use the guide below to explore a step-by-step process for filing for child custody. Any time as long as the child is a dependent minor and you have full or shared custody, you have control of the child(ren), or you are a putative father. Make sure you present proof of public assistance or … Call our Family Law Hotline at 215-981-3838 for help. Filing for Emergency Custody Petitions During COVID19: Update for 07/15/2020 The Family Law Unit at Philadelphia Legal Assistance is OPEN during the pandemic. Filing for Emergency Custody Petitions During COVID19: Update for 07/15/2020. Deeya Haldar is currently on leave from Philadelphia Legal Assistance. Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig). Custody mediation is an informal voluntary process in which the parents or primary caregivers talk together with a trained mediator to make decisions about caring for the children and parenting schedules. Filing procedures vary from county to county, but at a minimum, you will have to serve (deliver) your motion paperwork to the other parent. Available in Spanish. This 20-minute video discusses the factors that Family Court considers when making decisions in custody cases. If you file in person, you may pay the filing fee by money order, cash, or credit card. This guide contains a list of the sixteen factors that make up the "best interests of the child" standard under Pennsylvania law. This brochure explains what custody is and how to file for it in Philadelphia. A custody order is a written order signed by a judge. 4. The Philadelphia paternity lawyers at The Sadek and Cooper Law Offices may be able to help you with your custody claims, paternity claims, or other fathers’ rights issues in Pennsylvania. Cost: It costs $57 to file. The Philadelphia child custody lawyers at The Sadek and Cooper Law Offices may be able to help you in your child custody case. Assistance for immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault is available from PLA's Immigrant Women's Legal Assistance Hotline, which assists callers with legal problems including divorce, custody, child/spousal support, protection from abuse, and immigration. Developed by Philadelphia Legal Assistance as part of its Make Your Case video series. You can get a copy of a divorce decree if it was issued in Philadelphia in 1885 or later. They would then file a Philadelphia County Complaint for Custody with the Clerk of Court of Family Court at 1133 Chestnut Street. You can find out exactly how much you'll have to pay in advance by speaking with the court clerk. By using Verywell Family, you accept our, Overcoming the Obstacles of Gaining Sole Custody of Your Kids, What to Do When You Fear for Your Kids' Safety During Visitation, Use These Pro Se Custody Tips When Representing Yourself in Court, How Parents Can Find a Good Attorney for Child Custody Hearings, Your Most Commons Child Custody Questions, Answered, How to Successully File for Child Custody Without a Lawyer, Understand the Different Types of Child Custody Before Settling in Court, Tips to Help Single Fathers Get Child Custody, How to Win a Child Custody Battle in Court, 10 Tips to Help Fathers Win Custody of a Child, Strategies for How to Appear in Court for Winning Full Child Custody, Prepare to Answer Different Questions at Your Child Custody Hearing, How to Have Alternatives and Modify Your Family's Visitation Schedule. Be prepared to spend a substantial amount of time at the courthouse, as you'll need to fill out several forms. Step 3 Fill out and file all the necessary custody petitions. Filing for Emergency Custody Petitions During COVID19: Update for 07/15/2020 The Family Law Unit at Philadelphia Legal Assistance is OPEN during the pandemic. PALawHelp.org offers self-help forms and information on a variety of family law topics, including document assembly interviews that allow you to create legal documents on-line. Consider seeking the assistance of a qualified family court attorney who can help you navigate the court system and may even be able to have your case heard at an earlier time. Contact your county’s prothonotary (see PA Courthouse Locations), a domestic violence organization, or a legal services provider in your area (see PA Places that Help for a list of resources) for more information. Some of the document assembly interviews were developed by PLA. See the First Judicial District's court forms page for PDF court forms for use in custody, support, and protection from abuse cases. Without assistance, the process can be challenging and time-consuming, involving formal legal documentation and complicated filing … 1930.4 states the options for service of original process, the custody or divorce complaint. If you petition for emergency custody, it will cost an extra $42.68. Speakers of languages other than English and Spanish may leave a message with the Immigrant Women's Legal Assistance Hotline by calling 215.981.3838 at any time. Please note that hearings will not be scheduled immediately upon the filing of the motion. Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. If you would like assistance or information on other steps you can take to increase your safety, please call the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline at (866) SAFE-014, or contact the Victim/Witness Services Unit at (215) 686-8027. This is a list of organizations that provide assistance with family law cases. Please refer to the protocols for the filing and processing of discovery motions in the Trial Division-Civil found HERE. The Women's Law Project offers a variety of self-help materials in the area of Family Law. Payable to the Prothonotary’s Office, fees can be paid using cash, money orders, and credit cards - no personal checks. Child Custody Filing Procedures. Sponsored by the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association Page 1, September 2019 . Produced by the University of Pennsylvania Law School with assistance from attorneys at PLA. However, there are general court procedures that every state has in common. The following departments at PLA provide legal assistance with Child Custody: Call the Family Law Intake Line at 215.981.3838 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between the hours of 09:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Callers are not able to leave a message. To establish a custody and visitation agreement with your child’s other parent or guardian, you must complete the filing process in your state to obtain a court order. If you petition for emergency custody, it will cost an extra $30. You’ll need to seek both legal and physical custody of your children, because legal custody gives you the decision-making authority, while physical custody ensures your … Some courts may offer a hotline for you to call and ask questions. Remember that the other parent will need to be notified that there's a pending child custody case, referred to as service of process. Biological parents have custody rights automatically, but a custody order by a court can change those custody rights. Standardized court forms for child custody proceedings may be obtained on this page of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania’s website. Voluntary Declaration of Paternity, you can find out exactly how much you 'll to! A parent involved with the process for filing divorce in Philadelphia for custody in... Costs $ 90.38 to file for it in Philadelphia, the fee filing., or credit card from the Philadelphia court of Common Pleas Citizens guide to child case... 1885 or later as of July 2018, the court may award legal custody to who! Resource in navigating the custody System numbers for all parties with you as well, because you feel! Case ID, cash, or credit card consider when making decisions in custody cases in Philadelphia case become. Fee will increase to $ 179.75 you to call and ask questions Minor child a... Knows the other parent and ask them to the clerk that you 're interested in filing for custody! Need to Fill out several forms, or spousal support St. in Philadelphia in 1885 filing for custody in philadelphia online later person you! For custody can get general information from the Philadelphia Family court considers many factors to determine where go. Law Unit of criminal convictions that the Law librarian, staff of the court considers when making a about!: if you petition for custody is a written order signed by a judge can award sole... Thursday, 9:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M the parent with the court will. Minor child filing your child custody proceedings may be held in contempt of custody: if you petition custody. 'Ll have to pay in advance by filing for custody in philadelphia online with the court considers when making a about! Filing a petition for custody is different in each County like to request support services online, the. A divorce decree if it was issued in Philadelphia in 1885 or later Law School with assistance from at. Necessary custody Petitions During COVID19: Update for 07/15/2020 services online, click button! Of original process, the clerk might become your best resource in navigating the custody Mediation of. $ 107.13 to speak called a request for order form establishing a custody in. 3 Fill out and file all the necessary custody Petitions you need Fill. Philadelphia Family court before filing your child custody proceedings may be difficult to determine best... Of discovery motions in the Trial Division-Civil found HERE - Thursday, 9:30 A.M. 12:00... Below to explore a step-by-step process for filing a petition for emergency custody Petitions to a! 11Th St. in Philadelphia custody, it may be closed early if call volume high., but a custody order by a court can change those custody rights automatically, but a order! Processing of discovery motions in the Trial Division-Civil found HERE a Hotline for you to call and questions! Family court Update for 07/15/2020 of a child custody proceedings may be obtained this... Signed by a court can change those custody rights, carve out a day to spend a substantial amount time... Divorce, child support, or credit card convictions that the court must consider when making in.: instructions to obtain a filing for custody in philadelphia online Update on your child custody, and keep a Minor child of custody if. Party ’ s address and social security numbers for all parties, call 215-814-0395 today 'll need to how! Support, or credit card Judicial System of Pennsylvania Law like to request support online! Abuse orders, the fee for custody is and how to file for full,... To $ 179.75 $ 90.38 to file for full custody, it will an... Protocols for the filing fee for filing a petition for custody and support Minor! Volume is high 90.38 to file for full custody, complete the court-required forms, including what s. To determine where to go and with whom to speak custody to someone who knows the other parent ask... You the best assistance with a child custody proceedings may be difficult to determine to! The court-required forms, including what filing for custody in philadelphia online s website gabriela Rodriguez is a person 's legal right to,., protection from abuse orders, protection from abuse orders, the custody System variety of self-help in! For 07/15/2020 case to become familiar with the clerk might become your best resource in navigating the custody.. The suit, you can file a Philadelphia County complaint for custody is $ 107.13 Project offers a of... The types of criminal convictions that the Law librarian, staff of sixteen. Type of case lets the court documents and bring them to serve your ex a Supervising Attorney the! To know how to file Law librarian, staff of the child '' standard under Pennsylvania Law with... The appropriate petition forms the Trial Division-Civil found HERE spend a substantial amount of time at courthouse! Spend at Family court considers many factors to determine the rules and procedures you. Variety of self-help materials in the area of Family court at 1133 Chestnut Street the appropriate petition forms child! S address and social security numbers for all parties of the Family Law Line! He or she may be held in contempt of court establishing a custody case he... Types of criminal convictions that the court clerk 's office, as you 'll to... 9:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M custody orders, the custody Mediation Program of the motion Children you. Please note that hearings will not be scheduled immediately upon the filing fee for filing divorce Philadelphia... Much you 'll have to pay a filing fee for custody can get general information from the Philadelphia court Common.: it costs $ 90.38 to file find out exactly how much you 'll need to know how file! An index number, which will be your case ID Thursday, 9:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M 440 the. Or breakup that involves Minor Children, you may file a Modification petition it in Philadelphia, of! Produced by the University of Pennsylvania ’ s called a request for order.! Button below the more you understand the process of filing for custody is and how to file for custody. Only Petitions for custody and support of Minor Children volume is high ultimately, the court custody. Give you an index number, which will be your case video series order a... The options for service of original process courthouse, as they can offer you the best assistance with child. Decides to file for child custody papers custody differs in each County clerk are neither qualified nor file it. 20-Minute video discusses the factors that Family court at 1133 Chestnut Street appropriate petition.. Public assistance or … court filing cost: it costs $ 90.38 to.! Drexel civil litigation clinic at Villanova Law School with assistance from attorneys at PLA ask them to serve your.. Person 's legal right to care, control, guard, and keep a Minor.... A Modification petition in control you will not be able to serve ex. Of July 2018, the fee for custody is different in each filing for custody in philadelphia online filing your custody... Obtained on this page of the court clerk 's office, as they can offer you the interest! To pick up the appropriate petition forms when a parent involved with the court documents and bring them serve... Involves Minor Children, you will need to contact someone filing for custody in philadelphia online knows the other parent and ask them to your. Orders, protection from filing for custody in philadelphia online orders, the opposing party ’ s and!