title: "Pennsylvania Child Custody - LSC-Grade Legal Packet"

state: "PA"

date: "2026-03-20"

price: "$67"

Pennsylvania Child Custody Packet

Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.

ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST

• [ ] Child has lived in Pennsylvania for at least 6 consecutive months
• [ ] Pennsylvania is child's "home state" (6+ months with a parent)
• [ ] You are the child's parent, legal guardian, or in loco parentis
• [ ] Unmarried father: paternity established (23 Pa.C.S. § 5103)
• [ ] No active CYS/dependency proceeding in Juvenile Court
• [ ] No emergency — if emergency, file for PFA instead
• [ ] No active custody order from another state (unless PA now has jurisdiction)
• [ ] Not seeking to terminate parental rights (separate proceeding)

File at: Pennsylvania court finder: https://www.pacourts.us/find-a-court

FILING STEPS

1. Complete the Custody Education Program (23 Pa.C.S. § 5332) — contact your county Family Court for approved programs.
2. Gather children's birth certificates, Social Security numbers, existing court orders, and proof of residency.
3. Complete the Complaint for Custody — no blank spaces.
4. Complete the Criminal Record/Abuse History Affidavit — required for all parties.
5. Draft your proposed Parenting Plan.
6. Include Notice to Defend — attach to your Complaint.
7. Make 3 copies of all documents (original + 2 copies).
8. File at the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division in your county.
9. Pay filing fee ($200–$350) or request In Forma Pauperis waiver.
10. Serve the other parent — sheriff service ($30–$50), private process server, certified mail, or Acceptance of Service.

LEGAL AID

• Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN): palawhelp.org · 1-800-322-9933
• Philadelphia Legal Assistance: phillylegal.org · (215) 981-3800
• Southwestern PA Legal Services: swpls.org · 1-800-243-2020
• PA Courts Self-Help: pacourts.us/self-help · (717) 705-1138

COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY — BLANK TEMPLATE

`

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF _____________ COUNTY

FAMILY COURT DIVISION

___________________________________________

PLAINTIFF: No.: _______________

__________________________

v. CUSTODY COMPLAINT

DEFENDANT:

__________________________

___________________________________________

COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY

1. PLAINTIFF INFORMATION:

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________ Date of Birth: _______________________

Social Security No. (last 4 digits): ________ Gender: ________________

1. DEFENDANT INFORMATION:

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________ Date of Birth: _______________________

Social Security No. (last 4 digits): ________ Gender: ________________

1. RELATIONSHIP TO DEFENDANT (check one):

[ ] Married [ ] Divorced [ ] Separated [ ] Never Married

[ ] Other: ___________________________________________________________

1. CHILDREN (attach additional sheet if more than 3 children):

Child 1: Name: ______________________________________________________

Date of Birth: ______________ Social Security (last 4): _____

Currently living with: _______________________________________

Child 2: Name: ______________________________________________________

Date of Birth: ______________ Social Security (last 4): _____

Currently living with: _______________________________________

Child 3: Name: ______________________________________________________

Date of Birth: ______________ Social Security (last 4): _____

Currently living with: _______________________________________

1. CURRENT CUSTODY STATUS (check one):

[ ] No prior custody order exists

[ ] Prior custody order exists from _____________ County, ___________ State

Date of order: _______________ Case number: _______________________

1. CUSTODY REQUESTED (check all that apply):

LEGAL CUSTODY (decision-making):

[ ] Shared legal custody to both parties

[ ] Sole legal custody to Plaintiff

[ ] Sole legal custody to Defendant

[ ] Other: ___________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL CUSTODY (where child lives):

[ ] Primary physical custody to Plaintiff

[ ] Primary physical custody to Defendant

[ ] Shared physical custody (____% Plaintiff, ____% Defendant)

[ ] Partial physical custody/visitation to Plaintiff

[ ] Partial physical custody/visitation to Defendant

[ ] Supervised physical custody to: ___________________________________

1. BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD (23 Pa.C.S. § 5328):

Explain why the custody arrangement you are requesting is in the best

interests of the child(ren):

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

1. PRIOR COURT PROCEEDINGS (check all that apply):

[ ] None

[ ] Protection From Abuse (PFA) case: _________________________________

[ ] Dependency/CYS case: _____________________________________________

[ ] Criminal case involving children: _________________________________

[ ] Support case: ____________________________________________________

[ ] Other: ___________________________________________________________

1. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES (check all that apply):

[ ] None

[ ] Child has special needs: _________________________________________

[ ] Domestic violence history

[ ] Substance abuse issues (party): __________________________________

[ ] Mental health issues (party): ____________________________________

[ ] Relocation planned

[ ] Other: ___________________________________________________________

1. VERIFICATION:

I verify that the statements made in this Complaint are true and correct.

I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties

of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.

_________________________________

Signature of Plaintiff

_________________________________

Date

_________________________________

Printed Name

_________________________________

Address

_________________________________

Phone Number

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

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PARENTING PLAN — BLANK TEMPLATE

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═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

PARENTING PLAN

Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas

_______________ County

Case Number: __________________ Filed: __________________

Plaintiff: _______________________________________

Defendant: _______________________________________

Child(ren): ______________________________________

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

I. LEGAL CUSTODY (Decision-Making)

[ ] SHARED LEGAL CUSTODY: Both parents shall share decision-making

authority regarding the following major decisions:

[ ] Education [ ] Healthcare [ ] Religion

[ ] Extracurricular [ ] Mental Health [ ] Other: __________

[ ] SOLE LEGAL CUSTODY to: ___________________________________________

This parent shall have final decision-making authority.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION: If parents cannot agree on a major decision:

[ ] Attend mediation before court involvement

[ ] Final decision by parent with primary physical custody

[ ] Other: ___________________________________________________________

II. PHYSICAL CUSTODY (Residential Schedule)

A. PRIMARY RESIDENCE:

The child(ren) shall primarily reside with: ________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________

B. REGULAR WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

[ ] Option 1: Primary/Partial Custody

Primary Parent: Sunday through Friday morning

Partial Custody Parent: Every other weekend

(Friday after school to Sunday at 6:00 PM)

Midweek: [ ] None [ ] Wednesday 5:00-8:00 PM

[ ] Option 2: Week-On/Week-Off

Week 1: Sunday to Sunday with Mother

Week 2: Sunday to Sunday with Father

[ ] Option 3: 5-2-2-5 Schedule

Monday-Tuesday: ______________________ (Parent name)

Wednesday-Thursday: __________________ (Parent name)

Friday-Sunday: Alternating weekends

[ ] Option 4: Custom Schedule (describe below):

___________________________________________

C. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

HOLIDAY ODD YEARS EVEN YEARS

─────────────────────────────────────────────────────

New Year's Eve ________________ ________________

New Year's Day ________________ ________________

Easter Weekend ________________ ________________

Memorial Day ________________ ________________

July 4th ________________ ________________

Labor Day ________________ ________________

Thanksgiving ________________ ________________

Christmas Eve ________________ ________________

Christmas Day ________________ ________________

Winter Break ________________ ________________

Child's Birthday ________________ ________________

Mother's Day Mother Mother

Father's Day Father Father

D. SCHOOL VACATIONS:

Winter Break: _____________________________________________________

Spring Break: ______________________________________________________

Summer Vacation:

[ ] Two (2) consecutive weeks with non-primary parent

[ ] Two (2) non-consecutive weeks

[ ] Split summer 50/50

[ ] Other: ____________________________________________________

E. TRANSPORTATION:

Drop-off responsibility: __________________________________________

Pick-up responsibility: __________________________________________

Location: _________________________________________________________

III. COMMUNICATION

A. Between Parents:

Method: [ ] Phone [ ] Text [ ] Email [ ] Co-parenting app: _______

Response time: Within _____ hours for non-emergencies

B. With Child(ren):

[ ] Daily phone/video calls permitted with non-custodial parent

Time(s): ___________________________________________________________

IV. RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL

If a parent cannot care for the child(ren) during their scheduled time

for more than _____ hours, they shall:

[ ] Offer the other parent the opportunity to care for the child(ren)

[ ] Not required

V. RELOCATION (23 Pa.C.S. § 5337)

Either parent intending to relocate must provide _____ days' written

notice to the other parent and file a relocation petition with the court.

VI. MODIFICATION

This plan may be modified by written agreement of both parents or by

court order upon a showing of a substantial and material change in

circumstances (23 Pa.C.S. § 5338).

VII. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

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SIGNATURES:

MOTHER: FATHER:

______________________________________ ______________________________________

Signature Signature

______________________________________ ______________________________________

Printed Name Printed Name

_____________ _____________

Date Date

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

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*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.

Verify current law before filing. For legal advice contact a licensed Pennsylvania attorney or legal aid. jurist-diction.com*