Child Custody and Family Law Attorneys
Amid the emotions of divorce, it can be difficult to focus on the best interests of the children. The experienced family law attorneys of Henry & Beaver Law Firm can assist in negotiating realistic parenting agreements or help clients best present their case if a court will determine child custody.
Our Lebanon, Pennsylvania divorce and family law practitioners represent men or women in the determination of physical custody, legal custody and child support. We practice in the family courts of Lebanon, Lancaster, Berks, Dauphin and Schuylkill counties.
Child Custody
Our lawyers have decades of experience in Lebanon Valley courts and a thorough understanding of the law. We can give clients an honest opinion of their prospects if they are seeking sole custody or primary physical custody, and counsel them on the steps to take to present the best possible case in a custody hearing. For clients likely to be awarded only partial physical custody (visitation), we work to maximize parenting time and make sure they are involved in decision-making (legal custody) relating to the child's health, education and upbringing.
While we encourage out-of-court agreements, we generally discourage shared parenting in which the child splits time equally. These arrangements are difficult to maintain and can be unsettling for kids as they bounce between households every three or four days. That said, we are here to pursue our clients' wishes — you know best what your children need.
Child Support
Financial support is determined by state guidelines, but attorney involvement can make a difference. The statutes allow some variation for circumstances such as layoffs, changing jobs or health problems. Whether representing the custodial or non-custodial parent, we work to make sure child support is fair and reasonable from the outset. Accurate determination of income is critical, especially when the paying parent is self-employed.
Child support, spousal support, custody and parenting schedules can be later modified if there is a substantial change in circumstances. We can represent either party in modification hearings, including petitions to relocate out of Pennsylvania with the children. Henry & Beaver also pursues all enforcement options in cases of unpaid support or interference with custody orders.
Adoptions
We handle all aspects of private adoptions by stepparents, including termination of the biological parent's rights (voluntary or involuntary). Formal adoption establishes the child's inheritance rights and establishes the legal custody rights and responsibilities of the stepmother or stepfather. Attorney Fred Wolf has represented the Lebanon County Children and Youth Services and other central Pennsylvania agencies in termination of parental rights and adoptions on behalf of foster children.
To discuss your child custody or family law issue, contact our Lebanon office at 717-769-1296.
