This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Family Issues for Seniors in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Child Custody
Information from Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc. on child custody proceedings and the child custody process.
Child Custody
Consumer Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association on Child Custody offering information on the law relating to child custody and the procedure in child custody proceedings. Rev. 1/13 [PDF]
Protection From Abuse
Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. on the protection available to you under the Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse Act.
Protection From Abuse (Central Pennsylvania)
Information from MidPenn Legal Services for victims of domestic violence on protection orders under a law called the Protection From Abuse Act. This brochure is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529)
The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
Grandparent Rights
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on grandparent rights concerning custody and visitation from the Erie County Bar Association.
Overview of Grandparents' Rights in Family Court (Video)
Jennifer Pierce, Managing Attorney for Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, provides a brief overview of grandparent’s rights in family court.
Pennsylvania Fact Sheet for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
Pennsylvania Fact Sheet developed by a unique national partnership comprised of AARP, the Children’s Defense Fund, Casey Family Programs’ National Center for Resource Family Support, The Brookdale Foundation, the Child Welfare League of America, and Generations United. The fact sheet provides grandparent and other relative caregivers information about the range of support services, benefits and policies they need to fulfill their caregiving role. [PDF]
Pennsylvania KinConnector
Pennsylvania KinConnector is a resource designed to help kinship care families connect to services and supports that can help children and their caregivers. It provides guidance, advice, and support for grandparents raising grandchildren and other relative and non-relative Kinship Caregivers. Kinship care is the full-time care, nurturing and protection of children by relatives or any adult who has a “kinship” bond with the children.
Local Forms and Self-Help Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the title to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION sub-topic. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Laurel Legal Services provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees.
Overview of Grandparents' Rights in Family Court (Video)
Jennifer Pierce, Managing Attorney for Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, provides a brief overview of grandparent’s rights in family court.
Child Custody
Information from Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc. on child custody proceedings and the child custody process.
Protection From Abuse
Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. on the protection available to you under the Pennsylvania Protection From Abuse Act.
Protection From Abuse (Central Pennsylvania)
Information from MidPenn Legal Services for victims of domestic violence on protection orders under a law called the Protection From Abuse Act. This brochure is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Criminal Record and Abuse History in Custody Actions with Instructions
Beginning in September 2013 any person filing a complaint for custody, or any petition for modification for custody must also file a verification regarding any criminal or abuse history of the petitioner and anyone living in the petitioner’s household. This form, completed and filed following the included instructions, may be used to satisfy this requirement. [PDF]
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Laurel Legal Services provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees.
Grandparent Rights
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on grandparent rights concerning custody and visitation from the Erie County Bar Association.
Child Custody
Consumer Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association on Child Custody offering information on the law relating to child custody and the procedure in child custody proceedings. Rev. 1/13 [PDF]
Collaborative Law
Consumer legal information brochure from the Pennsylvania Bar Association on Collaborative Law, a dispute resolution process that is an alternative to litigation. Rev. 1/13 [PDF]
A Guide for Seniors and Their Families: Issues on Aging
Consumer Legal Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association [PDF]
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529)
The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
Custody Proceedings - Representing Yourself: Forms and Information from the Pennsylvania Courts
Free online information is available from the Pennsylvania Courts website to assist the growing number of Pennsylvanians who want to file their own family law cases in courts across the state. Standardized court forms for child custody proceedings may be obtained on this page of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania’s website. Included are forms for both parents and third parties, including grandparents.
Divorce Proceedings - Representing Yourself: Forms and Information from the Pennsylvania Courts
Free online information is available from the Pennsylvania Courts website to assist the growing number of Pennsylvanians who want to file their own family law cases in courts across the state. Standardized court forms for divorce proceedings may be obtained on this page of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania’s website.
Resource for Caregivers of Children
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging about resources for grandparents and older relative caregivers of children and assistance that may be available to help.
Pennsylvania Family Caregiver Support Program
Describes the financial assistance and other benefits and services available through the Family Caregiver Support Program under the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Signs and Symptoms of Elder Abuse and Neglect
Information from Pennsylvania Office of Victim Services on the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and neglect.
A Caregiver's Guide to Selecting an Adults Day Services Center
An 12-page guide from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to help persons in need of adult day services. [PDF]
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released this series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts.
Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
Costs to record, or “file” documents such as the complaint, vary from the type of document, or pleading, to the county in which you begin your case. Some court filing costs may be in the hundreds of dollars. If you cannot afford to pay these fees to the court, you will need to complete this form, In Forma Pauperis, a Latin term, referring to someone who cannot pay.
Pennsylvania KinConnector
Pennsylvania KinConnector is a resource designed to help kinship care families connect to services and supports that can help children and their caregivers. It provides guidance, advice, and support for grandparents raising grandchildren and other relative and non-relative Kinship Caregivers. Kinship care is the full-time care, nurturing and protection of children by relatives or any adult who has a “kinship” bond with the children.
Pennsylvania Fact Sheet for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
Pennsylvania Fact Sheet developed by a unique national partnership comprised of AARP, the Children’s Defense Fund, Casey Family Programs’ National Center for Resource Family Support, The Brookdale Foundation, the Child Welfare League of America, and Generations United. The fact sheet provides grandparent and other relative caregivers information about the range of support services, benefits and policies they need to fulfill their caregiving role. [PDF]
Local Forms and Self-Help Information
For local forms and information for your county, click the title to see the SELF-HELP FORMS AND INFORMATION sub-topic. Counties are listed alphabetically after some generally applicable forms or you can set your location on the page to see only forms applicable for that location.
Allegheny County Court Family Division - Frequently Asked Questions
The Family Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas offers answers to many Frequently Asked Questions in the area of Custody; Dependency & Related Services; Divorce; Juvenile Delinquency and Probation; Paternity; Protection From Abuse (PFA); and Support.
Lycoming County Forms
On this page, you will find various Lycoming County Courts legal forms. These packets can also be found in the law library and are provided one per filing. The law library staff cannot provide legal advice but they can assist in filling out the forms. You can stop in during regular operating hours or make an appointment.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP)
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in custody proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.