Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

Custody

My ex husband recently filed for custody of our 2 daughters ages 6 and 11. He works on third shift. He also moves back and forth from his current wife's house and his parents home. When he has visitation he routinely leaves them with his mother who I (and many other people) believe has mental health issues. Not to mention his mother has called children services on me three times and out and out lied to them to get them to come to our home. Each time they talked to the kids did their checks and walked away happy that the girls were fine. He and I seperated when the girls were 1 and 5 they have lived with me ever since. I am now remarried with two more daughters from this marriage. Even though my ex has no chance of custody he is insisting that he will not agree to less. In our county they require mediation sessions at a split cost. Therefore I am going to be spending $2000 if not more for him to get a visitation schedule that I would have agreed to in the first place. Is there any way to get restitution for this money I am essentially throwing away.


Asked on 3/06/09, 8:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

Re: Custody

I think what you refer to as mediation sessions is really a custody evaluation. To my mind I can't see the need for that.

In most counties though I don't know about yours the general procedure on a custody procedure is that after a petition for custody is filed there is a custody conciliation. An informal hearing in front of a custody master. In this the master tries to get an agreement as to what the custody order should be. If the parties agree then he drafts an order and a judge signs it. If there is no agreement then there would be a hearing in front of a judge to determine what the custody order would be.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me the initial consultation is free.

{John}

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Answered on 3/08/09, 2:39 pm


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