Larry B. Maier: Ephrata Child Custody Attorney

If you are involved in child custody proceedings, decisions you make now will have a long-term effect on your relationship with your child. The first, and possibly most critical, of those decisions is whether you should fight or negotiate. After 36 of practice in Lancaster County family courts, I have the experience to wage a winning fight on behalf of a client. I also have the wisdom to avoid involving my client in an unnecessary battle. -Attorney Larry B. Maier-

Pennsylvania Child Custody Laws

Whether you are involved in divorce proceedings or you have never been married to your child's other parent, your child is, under the laws of Pennsylvania, entitled to maintain strong relationships with both parents. As an Ephrata child custody lawyer, it is my job to protect my client's parental rights and advocate for a custody and visitation arrangement that is truly in the best interests of the child.

Before recommending a course of action, I carefully assess your unique situation and consider both conventional and creative custody and visitation arrangements. You will decide how to proceed. As your lawyer, I will advocate for your position through negotiations or in court. Contact me today to discuss your child custody case.

Pennsylvania law requires the courts to examine what is in the "best interests of the child." New laws have helped define what that means. The legislature recently promulgated 16 factors that are applied on a case-by-case basis. One of the factors provides the court with broad discretion by permitting custody decisions to be based upon "any other relevant factor" that can help determine what is in the best interests of the child. The new child custody law also requires the courts to explain either on record or in writing the reasoning behind a child custody decision. Finally, every parent wishing to relocate with a child must obtain the court's prior permission.

A Custody Agreement or a Custody Battle

Your primary concern is your child's welfare. I will help you focus on that issue, in hopes of preventing your child from becoming a pawn or weapon in a battle with your spouse. A parental battle may cause serious distress to your child and possibly result in long-term damage to your relationship. However, there are cases where it is necessary to take an aggressive approach. I am well-prepared to fight for my clients when necessary, and have the experience to do so effectively.

Modification of Support or Custody

If there has been a substantial change in circumstances since your custody or child support order was issued, the court will consider a petition to modify the existing decree. Post-decree modification might follow a change in income, the other parent's new relationship with an undesirable person, or a change in your child's developmental needs.

Contact an Akron Divorce Attorney

It is critical that you talk to an attorney before making decisions regarding child custody. If you would like to discuss my services, please feel free to contact me at 717-842-4467. I will explain what I can do for you and explain my fee arrangement; you will have the opportunity to decide if you are comfortable with me. If you are not able to meet with me at my Ephrata, Pennsylvania, office, we can schedule an evening or weekend appointment.