Child Custody & Support

Pennsylvania Child Custody and Child Support Lawyer

Child custody and support matters can be emotionally-charged cases, but the focus should always be on the best interests of the children. That is what I encourage my clients to be well aware of as they resolve those issues. At the law firm of Dennis J. Mark, Esquire, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, I will represent you and your rights to financial support and the opportunity to continue a relationship with your children following a divorce.

Child support and child custody and visitation do not go hand in hand. Some divorced couples will use custody and visitation as a way of exacting revenge if they did not receive support payments. While the details of the divorce decree must be followed, child custody/visitation and support issues are handled by different divisions. Denied visitation and custody are not the way to resolve financial disputes. Not allowing your spouse to see your child because of money issues could result in a contempt charge against you.

Child support guidelines and calculations are based on income and expenses of both husband and wife. If one spouse has remarried or is cohabitating, the household income is taken into account when determining the amount of child support. It is a direct process of entering the numbers into a computer that shows you how much to pay based on federally-mandated guidelines. At the law office of Dennis J. Mark, Esquire, I am an attorney that will strive for accuracy of the numbers. Please know that a support order is never final and subject to modification if certain circumstances change.

When dealing with sole or joint child custody and visitation issues, the law is based on the best interests of the child. Parents who cannot agree to a custody or visitation arrangement can try for a mediated settlement or a full hearing before a judge. Mediation gives you more control and a say in the decision-making process, while a courtroom setting puts the decision in the hands of a judge. Like support, custody arrangements are not final and are subject to modification based on changing situations and the best interest of the children.

Contact a Scranton child support and child custody law firm for a free consultation.

Evening and weekend appointments available

I make house calls.