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Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Emancipation of Minors
General informational on issues surrounding emancipation from Northwestern Legal Services, including school attendance and residency, medical consent, parental liability, public assistance benefits and support for minors. A Continuous Residence and Support Oath affidavit is available in PDF Format. See the explanation on use of this form in the text of this article.
Emancipation of Minors
Informational Brochure from MidPenn Legal Services on the emancipation of minors.
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. [PDF]
Grandparent Rights
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on grandparent rights concerning custody and visitation from the Erie County Bar Association.
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]
Understanding Kinship Foster Care (Video)
This video has been produced by the Pennsylvania Courts to help potential kinship providers learn about and understand kinship foster care, navigate the dependency court system and take the necessary steps to become a kinship parent.
Call to Report Child Abuse!!! - ChildLine and Abuse Registry
Reporting Child Abuse - Call 800-932-0313 The ChildLine and Abuse Registry Intake Unit is available 24 hours to receive reports of suspected child abuse. Each call is answered by a trained intake specialist who will interview the caller to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Understanding Kinship Foster Care (Video)
This video has been produced by the Pennsylvania Courts to help potential kinship providers learn about and understand kinship foster care, navigate the dependency court system and take the necessary steps to become a kinship parent.
Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Pennsylvania Dependency Process (Video)
This is a comprehensive video from the Pennsylvania Courts for parents whose children have been removed from their care or are under supervision of dependency court. The goals of the video are to help parents learn what to expect in the courtroom, how to prepare for court, how to work with their caseworkers and attorney, what rights they’re entitled to and good questions to ask.
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. [PDF]
Staying in Foster Care Past Age 18
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project about how and when individuals over 18 years of age can remain in or re-enter foster care, and why you might want to do so.
Teen Parent Rights When DHS Investigates
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project proving information to teen parents who might be under investigation by the Department of Human Services concerning allegations of child abuse or neglect.
Teen Parents in Care
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project providing information for teen parents in care, who are young mothers and fathers who are placed by the Department of Human Services in foster care, a mother/baby placement, or other placement.
Young Adult Resource Guide - Youth Law Project
Guide to services available to Youth in Philadelphia including: Child Care & Early Learning • Domestic Violence • Drop-In Centers • Drug & Alcohol Treatment • Education/ Career • Family Planning/Reproductive Health • Food Resources • General Health Services • Housing/ Shelter • Legal Services • Mental Health Services • Parenting Education • Teen Parent Resources • Other Resources (January 2021)
Common Law Marriage
Information on common law marriage from the Erie County Bar Association.
Separation of Married Individuals
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on the legal issues involved when married people begin to live separately. (Feb 2019)
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. [PDF]
Reproductive Health
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project on issues relating to reproductive health including birth control, disease prevention and contraception; pregnancy and teen parenting; counseling; adoption; and abortion.
Trans Youth Handbook
The Trans Youth Handbook serves as a comprehensive legal resource guide that covers the rights of trans youth across a wide spectrum of situations, including identity documents, school, health care, non-affirming care environments, and work.
Young Adult Resource Guide - Youth Law Project
Guide to services available to Youth in Philadelphia including: Child Care & Early Learning • Domestic Violence • Drop-In Centers • Drug & Alcohol Treatment • Education/ Career • Family Planning/Reproductive Health • Food Resources • General Health Services • Housing/ Shelter • Legal Services • Mental Health Services • Parenting Education • Teen Parent Resources • Other Resources (January 2021)
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.
Emancipation of Minors
General informational on issues surrounding emancipation from Northwestern Legal Services, including school attendance and residency, medical consent, parental liability, public assistance benefits and support for minors. A Continuous Residence and Support Oath affidavit is available in PDF Format. See the explanation on use of this form in the text of this article.
Emancipation of Minors
Informational Brochure from MidPenn Legal Services on the emancipation of minors.
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. [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.
Reproductive Health
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project on issues relating to reproductive health including birth control, disease prevention and contraception; pregnancy and teen parenting; counseling; adoption; and abortion.
Staying in Foster Care Past Age 18
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project about how and when individuals over 18 years of age can remain in or re-enter foster care, and why you might want to do so.
Teen Parent Rights When DHS Investigates
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project proving information to teen parents who might be under investigation by the Department of Human Services concerning allegations of child abuse or neglect.
Teen Parents in Care
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project providing information for teen parents in care, who are young mothers and fathers who are placed by the Department of Human Services in foster care, a mother/baby placement, or other placement.
Young Adult Resource Guide - Youth Law Project
Guide to services available to Youth in Philadelphia including: Child Care & Early Learning • Domestic Violence • Drop-In Centers • Drug & Alcohol Treatment • Education/ Career • Family Planning/Reproductive Health • Food Resources • General Health Services • Housing/ Shelter • Legal Services • Mental Health Services • Parenting Education • Teen Parent Resources • Other Resources (January 2021)
Grandparent Rights
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on grandparent rights concerning custody and visitation from the Erie County Bar Association.
Common Law Marriage
Information on common law marriage from the Erie County Bar Association.
Separation of Married Individuals
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on the legal issues involved when married people begin to live separately. (Feb 2019)
Call to Report Child Abuse!!! - ChildLine and Abuse Registry
Reporting Child Abuse - Call 800-932-0313 The ChildLine and Abuse Registry Intake Unit is available 24 hours to receive reports of suspected child abuse. Each call is answered by a trained intake specialist who will interview the caller to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Understanding Kinship Foster Care (Video)
This video has been produced by the Pennsylvania Courts to help potential kinship providers learn about and understand kinship foster care, navigate the dependency court system and take the necessary steps to become a kinship parent.
Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Pennsylvania Dependency Process (Video)
This is a comprehensive video from the Pennsylvania Courts for parents whose children have been removed from their care or are under supervision of dependency court. The goals of the video are to help parents learn what to expect in the courtroom, how to prepare for court, how to work with their caseworkers and attorney, what rights they’re entitled to and good questions to ask.
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]
Trans Youth Handbook
The Trans Youth Handbook serves as a comprehensive legal resource guide that covers the rights of trans youth across a wide spectrum of situations, including identity documents, school, health care, non-affirming care environments, and work.
Adams County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Adams County.
Armstrong County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Armstrong County.
Beaver County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Beaver County.
Bedford County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bedford County.
Berks County: Domestic Relations Section of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas
Domestic Relations is a part of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. It helps the Court establish and enforce Court Orders for child support and spousal support.
Blair County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Blair County.
Bradford County Domestic Relations Office
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bradford County.
Bucks County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Bucks County.
Butler County Family Court: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Butler County.
Cambria County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Cambria County.
Centre County: Domestic Relations Section
The Domestic Relations Section is a Court-appointed office of Centre County Government under the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. The office serves as the Court's child support enforcement agency.
Chester County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Chester County.
Clearfield County Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Clearfield County.
Clinton County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Clinton County.
Crawford County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Crawford County.
Cumberland County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Cumberland County.
Dauphin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Dauphin County.
Delaware County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Delaware County.
Fayette County Domestic Relations
Information on support porcedures in Fayette County.
Lehigh County Domestic Relations Section
Information on the services provided by the Domestic Relations Section.
Mifflin County Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Mifflin County.
Perry County: Domestic Relations
Information on domestic relations procedures in Perry County.
Schuylkill County: Domestic Relations
Information on support procedures in Schuylkill county.
Washington County: Domestic Relations Section of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County
Information on the Domestic Relations Section of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County.
Westmoreland County: Domestic Relations
Information on support and the Domestic Relations Office in Westmoreland County