Child Custody & Support
Media, Pennsylvania Child Support and Child Custody Lawyer Serving Delaware County, Philadelphia County, and Chester County
Child custody and support matters can be emotionally overwhelming for everyone involved. Whether you’re going through a divorce or separating from your partner, it’s crucial to put the best interests of your children first. However, custody and support matters are often highly nuanced and legally complex. At Berman & Associates, our child custody and child support lawyer team places the highest priority on safeguarding the rights of our clients and work to ensure you receive fair treatment throughout the legal process.
Experienced Child Custody Attorneys Protecting Your Rights and Your Child’s Best Interests
Negotiating custody and visitation can be stressful — and these are often some of the most contentious issues a couple will need to resolve when divorcing or parting ways. Importantly, both parents have a right to foster an emotional bond with their child and courts in Pennsylvania emphasize protecting each parent’s relationship with their child whenever possible. If you are facing a child custody issue, it’s critical to have a diligent child custody attorney by your side who can help you secure the parenting time to which you are entitled.
At Berman & Associates, we have many years of experience successfully assisting clients with reaching mutually beneficial custody agreements. We are dedicated to helping our clients with a wide variety of child custody matters, including the following:
- Sole custody and joint custody arrangements
- Legal custody and decision-making authority
- Parenting time agreements and visitation schedules
- Custody modifications
- Supervised parenting time
- Relocation issues
- Determining paternity
- Grandparents’ visitation and custody
- Stepparent adoption
Generally, it’s best for parents to work out child custody matters between themselves outside of court using mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution. This can help maintain amicability between parents and allow them to remain in control of the outcome of their case, rather than let a judge who does not know them decide. At Berman & Associates, we work closely with clients to help them create tailored custody solutions that work for their families and help their children thrive.
Not only are we skillful negotiators, but we are also aggressive advocates if a case requires litigation. In the event parents cannot reach a settlement regarding their custody dispute outside of court, a judge will decide the matter based on the “best interests of the child” standard. The judge will evaluate a number of factors when reaching their determination — and it’s vital to present strong and compelling evidence in support of your position. At Berman & Associates, we are dedicated to upholding the rights of our clients in litigation and have extensive experience handling complex custody matters in the courtroom.
Knowledgeable Counsel for Child Support Issues in Pennsylvania
Regardless of marital status, both parents have an obligation to financially support their children — and child support can be necessary to help ensure a child’s needs are met. Child support is court-ordered payment made by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent, which usually continues until a child is 18 or graduates high school. While courts use a specific formula to determine support, these matters involve complicated calculations and are often subject to dispute. It’s essential to have the counsel of a knowledgeable child support lawyer who can explain your rights and negotiate on your behalf for the best possible outcome in your case.
At Berman & Associates, we provide experienced representation for a wide range of child support issues, including the following:
- Negotiating child support
- Establishing a child support order
- Child support modifications
- Collecting child support arrears
- Child support enforcement
- Contempt matters
- Extending child support
- Interstate child support matters
Although child support is typically based on the income of the parents, the amount of custodial time, and the number of children, there may be opportunities to apply deductions that can modify the amount of support you pay or receive. The dedicated child support lawyer team at Berman & Associates can help you navigate the process associated with child support matters and protect your interests every step of the way.
Importantly, the law recognizes that family circumstances and a child’s needs may change over time. A child support order can be modified from time to time — if a substantial change in circumstances has occurred, the court may grant an upward or downward modification. Whether your child support matter can be resolved through mediation, negotiation, or litigation is needed, we possess the insight, acumen, and skill necessary to achieve the results you need.
Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Child Support and Custody Lawyer
If you are facing a child custody or support issue, it’s important to have the representation of a family law attorney who you can trust. Our Media, Pennsylvania child custody and child support lawyer team are committed to serving families throughout Delaware County, Philadelphia County, and Chester County. We welcome you to contact us to consult with a qualified attorney about your child custody or support matter. We offer free initial consultations.