You care about your children's future and you want to do everything in your power to provide them with the loving support they need into the future. Whether you have come to an agreement with your co-parent about your parenting plan or if custody and visitation are in dispute, you need the guidance of a skilled and experienced family law lawyer
Call 717-229-1055 or 888-838-5817, or e-mail this law firm now.
Big Firm Results. Small Firm Attention. Your Case Matters.
Experienced Legal Guidance From a Harrisburg Attorney
Attorney Benjamin D. Andreozzi is a compassionate and skilled advocate for families in Dauphin County and throughout Pennsylvania. Regardless of whether you are pursuing a low-cost, no contest divorce or are in the midst of a heated custody battle, he is dedicated to making himself available to you and helping you seek a successful resolution to your custody matter.
At Andreozzi & Associates, we will answer your questions and make sure you understand the process and how it will impact your family and your future. Our goal is to put you in the driver's seat regarding the decisions that will affect your family. We will give you honest, straightforward legal advice and provide you with the tools to take control of your custody or visitation matter.
Understanding the Custody Process
Our Harrisburg and Dauphin County lawyers can guide you through the entire Pennsylvania child custody process from start to finish:
- Our first meeting: When you hire the firm, we will work with you to develop a plan and we take the time to understand your goals and the special needs of your family.
- Preparing the complaint: After the meeting, we will prepare a comprehensive custody complaint to be filed with the court, which is then served on the other party.
- Conciliation: After the other party is served, the court will set up a conciliation. Conciliation is similar to mediation, where the parents and their attorneys meet with a conciliator and try to come to some form of an agreement.
- If you reach an agreement: Many parents are able to reach an agreement after meeting with the conciliator. In those cases, the conciliator will create an order and present it to the court for approval.
- If you are unable to reach an agreement: Not all parents are able to agree about what is best for their child, in these cases the court will set up a hearing. At the hearing, you, your attorney and the other party will present witnesses and evidence in an effort to show what is in the best interests of your child. After the hearing, the court will make a ruling on the issues of custody and/or visitation in your case.
- If you disagree with the court's ruling: If you feel the court's ruling was a mistake or you simply disagree with the court's decision, there are circumstances in which you can appeal. However, it is often easier to seek a modification of the custody or visitation order at a later date. Modifications are simpler and can take a shorter amount of time than going to appellate court.
Custody Evaluations
Another option if you and the other parent are unable to reach an agreement after conciliation is to have a custody evaluation performed by a professional. While this evaluation costs money, it gives you an opportunity to have a third party who specializes in custody and visitation issues, evaluate your family's needs. After evaluating your family's living arrangements and the needs or your child, the evaluator will prepare a written report to submit to the court. Judges often place great weight on these evaluations when making decisions about custody and visitation.
Call for a Free Consultation: 717-229-1055 or 888-838-5817
To discuss your legal matter with a caring, easy-to-talk-to Pennsylvania family law attorney, call our law firm at 717-229-1055 or 888-838-5817, or e-mail us to arrange a free, confidential consultation.
