Hiring a Child Custody Lawyer in Pennsylvania
How courts in Pennsylvania decide custody, emergency custody, parenting classes, how to check a lawyer's license, and free or low-cost family law help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Pennsylvania: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal, litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. At the end, the lawyer must give the client a written statement showing the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.5(d) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony or support, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. Rule 1.5(b) also requires the basis or rate of the fee to be communicated in writing to clients the lawyer has not regularly represented. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | Fee disputes are not normally handled through Pennsylvania's discipline process; the Disciplinary Board directs clients to contact the bar association in the county where the attorney practices. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security reimburses victims of attorney dishonesty in the practice of law. The maximum award is $150,000 per claimant, with a $1,000,000 aggregate cap per attorney (effective February 24, 2014) that only the Supreme Court can exceed. Awards are discretionary. Filing is free and a lawyer is not required; mail the original signed Statement of Claim Form with supporting documents (scanned, emailed or faxed copies are accepted, though originals may be requested). |
Pennsylvania rules to know first
| How custody is decided | The court decides custody based on the best interest of the child, giving substantial weight to factors affecting the child's safety, including which party is more likely to keep the child safe, past or present abuse, child abuse history and violent behavior. Other factors include cooperation and conflict between the parties, each party's willingness to provide care and stability, the need for continuity in education and community, sibling and family relationships, and the child's well-reasoned preference based on developmental stage, maturity and judgment. Between parents there is no presumption that custody should go to a particular parent. The statute does not set a specific age for the child's preference. Source: 23 Pa.C.S. 5327; 5328 |
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| Emergency custody | At any time after a custody action is started, the court may, on a party's application or on its own, grant appropriate interim or special relief, including temporary legal or physical custody. The rule does not limit the court to the listed types of relief. Source: Pa.R.C.P. 1915.13 |
| Parenting classes | The court may direct parties in a custody case to attend informational programs about parental duties, but the case and any order or decree may not be delayed because a party did not take part. The court may also require counseling as part of a custody order (only individual counseling for an abuser, never joint counseling in abuse situations). In divorce cases based on indignities, mutual consent or irretrievable breakdown, the court must require up to three counseling sessions if either party requests it, except over the objection of a party protected by an abuse order. Source: 23 Pa.C.S. 5332; 5333; 3302 |
| Grandparents' rights | Grandparents and great-grandparents may seek partial physical custody or supervised physical custody when the child's parent (their child) has died; when their relationship with the child began with a parent's consent or a court order and the parents have started a custody case and disagree about grandparent custody; or when the child lived with them for at least 12 consecutive months and was removed by the parents (the action must be filed within six months of removal). In a case between a parent and a nonparent, the parent is presumed entitled to custody unless rebutted by clear and convincing evidence. Source: 23 Pa.C.S. 5325; 5327(b) |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Pennsylvania Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) connects people with a qualified attorney in the right location. Complete the online form (available 24/7) or call 800-932-0311 (select option 2) and describe your legal issue to get an immediate referral, then contact the attorney directly. The initial 30-minute consultation costs no more than $30. The PBA LRS operates in 47 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania offers a public attorney search to view an attorney's contact information and disciplinary history. Search by last name, first name, attorney ID number, city, county or license status; status definitions are on a linked page. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about Pennsylvania attorneys go to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and its Office of Disciplinary Counsel. File online with the electronic form, or print, sign and mail the complaint form (available in English and several other languages) to the district office where the attorney practices. You receive an acknowledgment and file number; Disciplinary Counsel investigates and may contact you, the attorney and others, and you get official notice of the outcome. Complaints are kept confidential except as the rules allow, and the process does not provide money or legal advice. The Board's attorney search shows disciplinary history; some prior discipline documents are online and others can be requested from the Executive Office ($0.50 per page). Board main line: 717.231.3380. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Free civil legal aid for low-income Pennsylvanians is provided by regional legal aid programs. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists seven Pennsylvania grantees: Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, MidPenn Legal Services, Neighborhood Legal Services Association, North Penn Legal Services, Northwestern Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center, and Summit Legal Aid. |
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All legal help in Pennsylvania
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.