Child Custody Arrangements

Create Co-Parenting Plans & Custody Arrangements Without Family Court

When a couple decides to separate or divorce, child custody arrangements and parenting time with their children are typically the most contentious, expensive and burdensome litigation in family court. These proceedings can be psychologically damaging to children and emotionally draining for parents. Parents can become resentful and bitter for real or perceived wrongs and lose sight of how this affects their children. Choosing a Collaborative Divorce Lawyer is an alternative to traditional court litigation, arbitration, or mediation.

How is Child Custody Determined?

In the traditional court system, these important and potentially life-changing decisions for you and your children rest with a judge; a stranger who knows very little about your family. Caring, loving parents know their children best and should be making these critical decisions together with a view about what is best for their children

When parents are making custody decisions they will need to consider the following:

  • Physical Custody: How the day-to-day care and supervision of their children will be provided and by whom.
  • Legal Custody: How major decisions that will impact their children’s health, education, and spiritual training will be made.

If you are willing to work with the other parent to do what is best for your children and want to avoid traditional litigation in family court, then WE CAN HELP!

How Does Child Custody Work in a Collaborative Law Environment? 

If you are looking for a divorce process that advocates for respectful conversations between parents, and an alternative to traditional family court litigation, then The Collaborative Process may be right for you and your spouse or partner.  Collaborative Professionals prefer not to think of matters involving parents and children as “custody,” but rather shared access and co-parenting. 

If you and the other parent of your children decide to separate or divorce, our Collaborative Law Team will work with you and enable you to reach an agreement that reflects your concerns and prioritizes your children’s needs and interests. Learn more about our team members and commonly asked questions.

Ultimately, parents truly want what is best for their children. Yet, some people have differing views about what is “best.” Each family’s distinct situation needs to be considered in developing custody arrangements and parenting plans or schedules that reflect children’s needs. For instance, a child’s extra-curricular activities, the distance between each parent’s home, a parent’s work and travel schedule, and where a child attends pre-school/daycare or school are all factors to consider when crafting a parenting agreement. Contact a member of the Collaborative Law Professionals of Southeastern Pennsylvania and schedule a consultation to discuss child custody and parenting plans.

What do you need to know about
Child Custody and Parenting Plans?

Learn more from our Collaborative lawyers and experienced mediators.

Ellen Fischer, Esq. and Henry Yampolsky, Esq. are family law attorneys who follow the philosophy of Collaborative Practice and amicable settlements. Collaborative divorces are a great alternative to court disputes for traditional and non-traditional families. Read more about how Collaborative Practice can help modern families with issues surrounding co-parenting, co-habitation, child custody, and more.