Public Policy

It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County that both parents have the right to a relationship with their child(ren) and all children have the right to a relationship with both parents. There is a strong public policy against limiting the relationship between parent and child unless a parent presents a grave threat to the child’s well-being.

  Expectations

  The Court does not grant immediate     custody after the filing of a petition. There are no quick fixes in custody unless the parties choose to find an amicable resolution outside of court. Parents lose their ability to decide what is best for their child when the matter is brought before a judge. The Court takes on the responsibility of deciding what is best for the child, so the outcome is usually unsatisfactory to at least one or both of the parents.  

Best Interest of the Child

It is almost always better for the parents to decide what custody arrangement is best for their child(ren). A judge does not know the parents or   children outside of what is presented to them during a short court proceeding; therefore, the willingness to compromise in order to reach an agreement outside of court is considered critical to a child's well-being.  

Grandparents and Third Parties

Pennsylvania law limits one’s ability to pursue primary custody, partial custody, and or visitation for persons other than the natural parents; therefore, any determination of custody is based upon the circumstances of each case.