Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
Pennsylvania Complaint for Custody
This custody form is for PARENTS only. Click the document title to be linked to LawHelp Interactive where you can create a "Complaint for Custody" that you can use to start a NEW custody case. The site will ask you a series of questions about your custody situation and then create a custody complaint for YOU based on YOUR ANSWERS. This complaint can then be printed and filed in your local court. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form.
IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word as your word processor.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Pennsylvania Petition for Modification or Contempt of a Custody Order
(Separate Website)
This custody form is for PARENTS only. Click the document title to be linked to LawHelp Interactive where you can create a "Petition for Modification or Contempt of a Custody Order" that can be used to ask a court to change or enforce a custody order that is ALREADY IN EFFECT.
The site will ask you a series of questions about your custody situation and the existing order, and then create a petition for YOU based on YOUR ANSWERS. This petition can then be printed and filed in your local court. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form.
IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word as your word processor.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Pennsylvania Petition for Guardianship of Minor Children
(Separate Website)
Click the document title to be linked to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a "Petition for Guardianship of Minor Children", which is for people who have children in their care, but are NOT the parents of the children. Guardianship is appropriate when the parents of the children are no longer available or able to care for the children, such as when the parents are dead or missing, or have serious drug, alcohol, or mental problems.
The site will ask you a series of questions about the children's situation and then create a petition for YOU based on YOUR ANSWERS. The petition can then be printed and filed in your local court. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form.
IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word as your word processor.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Petition to Waive Court Costs
Click the document title to be linked to LawHelp Interactive where you can prepare a Petition to Waive Court Fees which can be used to ask the Pennsylvania Court for permission to file legal papers for free. This form can be used in most types of court cases in Pennsylvania. Approval to waive fees is not automatic. You will need to ask the Court to approve your Petition. Instructions will be included. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a fill-in-the-blank form; you will need to answer questions while connected to the Internet.
IMPORTANT: To use this form, you must use Internet Explorer as your browser and Microsoft Word to print your documents.
By: North Penn Legal Services
County-Specific Online Resources, Self-Help Resources and Forms
(Separate Website)
Click on the title ro view resources from the "Self Help (Pro Se) Forms and Information" subtopic.
By: PALawHELP.org
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Child Custody
Information on rights relating to custody and visitation of chlidren.
By: Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc.
Other Formats:
PDF File
Overview of Custody - Guidelines of Conduct
Informational brochure on the guidelines of conduct surrounding child custody.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Custody
(Separate Website)
Chapter 5 of Family Law Manual, developed by North Penn Legal Services.
Full Manual. By: North Penn Legal Services
Family Law Manual
This handbook provides useful information about common Family Law issues. If you need Family
Law help, this handbook has good suggestions about some of the most common areas of Family
Law. This handbook also gives answers to commonly asked questions.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
North Penn Legal Services Child Custody Video Workshop
This video workshop from North Penn Legal Services provided basic information about child custody and visitation and describes how custody disputes are handled throgh the courts or through negotiation or mediation.
By: North Penn Legal Services
General Pennsylvania Law About Custody
(Separate Website)
General information on custody law in Pennsylvania
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Custody - Myths & Facts
Informational Brochure
By: MidPenn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
General Information On Custody and Visitation
Informational Brochure
By: Northwestern Legal Services
General Custody Information
(Separate Website)
General information about custody, custody terms and custody procedures.
By: Laurel Legal Services, Inc.
Child Custody
(Separate Website)
Information on child custody proceedings and the child custody process.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Custody and Visitation in PA (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA.
5/22/2008 - Robert Oakley, NWLS Director interviews Judge Stephanie Domitrovitch, Erie County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, and Karen Klapsinos, NWLS Staff Attorney regarding custody in Pennsylvania. Information is provided on what a Custody Order is, what it means, how to obtain one, and issues to consider when pursuing custody or visitation. (24:06)
Click on the title above to listen to the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Grandparents - Partial Custody or Visitation
(Separate Website)
Information on the custody rights of grandparents.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Grandparents' Custody/Visitation Rights in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
Information about the rights of grandparents in relation to the custody and visitation of their grandchildren.
By: Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Subsidized Child Care Program - Improved Changes
Fact sheet outling the new and improved changes to DPW's Subsidized Child Care Program
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Child Custody
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Custody
(Separate Website)
Information on the law concerning child custody from the Erie County Bar Association.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Legal Briefs: Custody and Visitation
(Separate Website)
Information that was discussed by Attorney Whitney Hughes on the July 31, 2007 edition of Legal Briefs on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live Show.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Grandparent Rights
(Separate Website)
Information on grandparent rights concerning custody and visitation from the Erie County Bar Association.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Guardianship
(Separate Website)
Information on legal guardianship from the Erie County Bar Association
By: Erie County Bar Association
Pennsylvania Child Custody Information
(Separate Website)
Information on child custody and the procedures for securing a custody order in Pennsylvania.
By: WomensLaw.org
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
PALawHELP.org is provided as a public service by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation.
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