Pennsylvania Custody and Visitation FAQ's

1) What determines custody questions in Pennsylvania?
In making an award of custody, between parents, the court must consider the best interest of the children. Overnight visitation is called "partial custody" in Pennsylvania. Any custody order is reviewable upon any change of circumstances. A child's desires with regard to custody and partial custody are given more weight as the child gets older. Until age 12 such desires have very little weight. Third parties can obtain custody only rarely. Grandparents have a right of visitation that is statutorily guaranteed in some situations, particularly where their child, the parent of their grandchildren has died or is separated from the grandchildren's other parent.