Pennsylvania family law resources
Free guides for parents in Pennsylvania custody and support cases, with links to the official statewide forms
What do you need help with?
I want to file for custody
The statewide Complaint for Custody, the order to appear, and the Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification
I was served with custody papers
No answer is required, but you must appear and complete your own verification form on time
I want to change a custody order
The Petition for Modification of a Custody Order and the best interest standard in § 5338
I need child support or want it changed
The statewide guidelines, the 40% overnight adjustment, and the domestic relations section
I have a custody conference coming up
Conciliation, conference officers, hearing officers, and mediation
I want to move with my child
The 60-day notice and the 30-day counter-affidavit in § 5337
The other parent is not following the order
Petitions for civil contempt and what the court can order
I need an emergency or temporary order
Special relief in a custody case and Protection From Abuse orders
The Family Court Playbook: Pennsylvania Edition
11 guides from start to finish
Step 1
How Custody Court Works in Pennsylvania
The court of common pleas, the prothonotary, conference officers, and the Rule 1915.4 timelines
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Step 2
Custody Types and the Best Interest Factors in Pennsylvania
Legal and physical custody and the best interest factors in 23 Pa.C.S. § 5328
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Step 3
How to File a Complaint for Custody in Pennsylvania
Venue, the statewide complaint, the order to appear, and the defendant’s options
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Step 4
How to Modify a Custody Order in Pennsylvania
The petition for modification, what to attach, and consent orders
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Step 5
Verifications and Affidavits in Pennsylvania Family Court
Statements made subject to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 and when a notary is not needed
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Step 6
How to Prepare Evidence for a Pennsylvania Custody Case
No discovery without an order, pre-trial exchanges, authentication, and hearsay
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Step 7
How Child Support Is Calculated in Pennsylvania
Monthly net income, earning capacity, the schedule, overnights, and expenses
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Step 8
Income Statements and the Support Conference in Pennsylvania
The Income Statement, the support conference, and the 20-day deadlines
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Step 9
How to Serve Custody Papers in Pennsylvania
Personal service, certified and regular mail, deadlines, and proof of service
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Step 10
Custody Conciliation, Conferences, and Mediation in Pennsylvania
The 45-day first contact, the two county tracks, and custody mediation
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Step 11
What to Expect at a Pennsylvania Custody Hearing or Trial
Listing for trial, the pre-trial conference, the decision, and appeal timing
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More guides
Specific topics and situations
Relocation
Notice, the counter-affidavit, and the ten relocation factors
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EnforcementEnforcing an order
Civil contempt of a custody order and how support orders are collected
Read guide →
EmergencyEmergency relief
Special relief, interim custody, and Protection From Abuse orders
Read guide →
Official Pennsylvania sources
Statewide custody forms
Unified Judicial System forms and instructions for custody proceedings
Pennsylvania Child Support Program
Department of Human Services child support e-services
Protection orders
How to file for a Protection From Abuse order in Pennsylvania
County custody hearing procedures
Which procedure each county certified under Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.4-1
Custody schedule builder
Lay out a custody schedule on a real calendar and count each parent’s overnights
Build a schedule →
Onbello is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. These guides are general legal information about Pennsylvania law and court rules, with sources listed on each page. Pennsylvania counties run custody cases under their own local rules, so check with your county court as well.