Child Custody & Visitation

Child custody arrangements and support obligations are ongoing issues that can persist well after a divorce is finalized. Changes in circumstances, such as a parent’s move or change in financial status – or, more seriously, lack of compliance by one of the parents with a court ordered custody arrangement or support obligation – can adversely affect children and families. We will help guide you through these issues so that you and your children can experience peace of mind during what is often the most difficult time in their lives.

The Courts weigh the following factors when making determinations of what is in the Best Interest of the children:

(1) Which party is more likely to encourage and permit frequent and continuing
contact between the child and another party.

(2) The present and past abuse committed by a party or member of the party’s
household, whether there is a continued risk of harm to the child or an abused
party and which party can better provide adequate physical safeguards and
supervision of the child.

(3) The parental duties performed by each party on behalf of the child.

(4) The need for stability and continuity in the child’s education, family life and
community life.

(5) The availability of extended family.

(6) The child’s sibling relationships.

(7) The well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the child’s maturity and
judgment.

(8) The attempts of a parent to turn the child against the other parent, except in
cases of domestic violence where reasonable safety measures are necessary to
protect the child from harm.

(9) Which party is more likely to maintain a loving, stable, consistent and
nurturing relationship with the child adequate for the child’s emotional needs.

(10) Which party is more likely to attend to the daily physical, emotional,
developmental, educational and special needs of the child.

(11) The proximity of the residences of the parties.

(12) Each party’s availability to care for the child or ability to make appropriate
child-care arrangements.

(13) The level of conflict between the parties and the willingness and ability of
the parties to cooperate with one another. A party’s effort to protect a child from
abuse by another party is not evidence of unwillingness or inability to cooperate
with that party.

(14) The history of drug or alcohol abuse of a party or member of a party’s
household.

(15) The mental and physical condition of a party or member of a party’s
household.

(16) Any other relevant factor.

The Family Law Attorneys at DiOrio & Sereni, LLP will work tirelessly so as to ensure that we present the best possible case based upon the relevant factors to attain the custodial arrangement that truly is in the best interest of you and your child(ren).

Contact the Law Firm of DiOrio & Sereni, LLP

For a private consultation, call us at 610-565-5700 or send us an e-mail. Evening and weekend consultations can be arranged upon request, and we will travel to meet with you, if necessary. We accept Discover, Visa and MasterCard.