Newtown Grandparents’ Rights Attorney
Recently, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed a different custody law that took effect on January 22, 2011. The law makes adjustments to the current custody law as it relates to third parties, especially great grandparents and grandparents.
Under the former law, grandparents had the “standing” or right to petition for custody of their grandchildren if:
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The parents are divorced
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A parent is deceased
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A child has lived with the grandparents for twelve months or longer.
The New Law provides “standing” for grandparents as follows:
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A parent is deceased
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A child has lived with the grandparent for twelve months or more (if filed within six months of living with the grandparent)
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The parents are separated for six months or more (this replaces the prior law’s requirement of divorce).
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The court is now requiring to give “weighted consideration” to many factors affecting the safety of the child.
The former law focused the court’s attention to abuse. The new law provides for 16 distinguished factors to be considered by a court while the former law had only 3.
- Continuing contact
- Abuse
- Stability/Continuity
- Family
- Child preference
- Relationship with Parent
- Daily Needs
- Proximity
- Availability of Care
- Drug/Alcohol Usage
- Mental/Physical Health
- Catchall and More
Experienced Bucks County Grandparents’ Right Attorney Serving Newtown & Doylestown, PA
When you’re facing difficult family court-related issues, you need the qualified, respected and responsive Bucks County grandparents’ rights attorneys at Kevin L. Hand, P.C. With offices in Newtown, PA, our team is ready to help you secure a brighter future for you and your loved ones. Call us today or contact us online to get started.