Although the law is written so that it does not discriminate between fathers and mothers, many fathers still feel like they face an uphill battle when it comes to issues of child custody and child support. The PA fathers rights lawyers at Cooper Family Law represent parents who are trying to get or keep custody of their children, parents who are paying child support and want child support reduced, those accused of failing to pay child support, and others seeking assistance with their family-related legal cases. The following guidelines may be helpful for fathers facing legal battles in Pennsylvania:
Child Custody and Support Rules for Fathers
These laws highlight some of the things fathers should know about their parental rights, fathers’ rights, and their legal options. Not all of these rules apply in every situation, and many “rights” can be taken away by a court of law. If you need help on any family law matters, always make sure to talk to an attorney.
Mothers and Fathers are Equal Under the Law
It is generally illegal for the law or the courts to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender unless there is a good reason based on biological differences. For instance, there is no expectation under the law that a mother should get custody instead of a father. This means that you should be set on equal footing against the mother of your children if a custody issue arises. The only time that discrimination is allowed is when it deals with biological differences. For instance, in paternity suits, it is much more difficult to prove the father’s biological relation than it is to prove the mother’s. Since the mother actually gave birth to the child, the court does not need additional proof that the mother is the biological parent, but may legally require DNA tests or other information to prove paternity.
There are Different Types of Custody
Many fathers fear that their children will be taken away from them, but may not fully understand the nuances of child custody laws in Pennsylvania. First, there are two general types of custody: legal and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the legal right to care for and access your children. Every parent automatically has legal custody of their own children if they are listed on the birth certificate or follow other procedures. Physical custody refers to situations where the children are actually with you, or living in your house. If the parents live together, they share physical custody – but if they live apart, one parent usually gets custody for more than half the year. That parent is called the “custodial parent,” but the other parent still has the legal right to access their children and make decisions in their lives if they have legal custody.
You Cannot Lose Legal Custody without Going to Court
If you are involved in allegations of substance abuse, crime, or abuse, the mother of your children may attempt to have you stripped of custody rights. However, courts will not typically remove custody without giving you “due process” – notice of the hearing and an opportunity to be heard. If you have been outside your children’s lives for a long time and the court cannot find you, they may strip you of custody without notice. However, when you are involved in your children’s lives, courts must notify you of custody proceedings against you and give you a chance to appear in court with an attorney, and fight to keep your children.
Child Support Can be Modified
Many fathers pay child support in the amount that was ordered when their children were very young, and never seek to update or modify the child support order. Any time that either parent goes through a “material and substantial change in circumstances,” either side may be entitled to ask the court to modify or terminate the child support order. This can include changes, such as:
New jobs,
Losing a job,
Changes in healthcare expenses,
Changes in rent,
Additional children (or stepchildren) to support,
A child turning 18 and graduating from high school, or
Discoveries regarding paternity.
However, you should always talk to an attorney and go to court before changing your child support payments. Resorting to self-help by refusing to pay in full could mean wage garnishment or other penalties.
Relocating Your Children May be Stopped
If the mother of your children wants to move out of state or far away with your children, you may be entitled to ask a court to stop her. PA law requires either consent or court approval before a substantial relocation. If you object to the relocation, a court can temporarily or permanently stop the relocation, if it is justified in doing so.
Philadelphia Fathers’ Rights Attorneys
The Philadelphia family lawyers at Cooper Family Law can help you exert your parental rights, fight for custody of your children, and work to reduce child support payments where appropriate. For a consultation on your case, contact our family law offices today.
Patrick J. Cooper, Esq. is the founding partner of Cooper Family Law in Philadelphia, specializing in family law matters, including divorce, custody, and adoption. With over 20 years of experience, Patrick is dedicated to providing compassionate, client-focused legal services. He is a trusted advocate in Southeastern Pennsylvania and has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for his outstanding work in family law.
Patrick J. Cooper, Esq. is the founding partner of Cooper Family Law in Philadelphia, specializing in family law matters, including divorce, custody, and adoption. With over 20 years of experience, Patrick is dedicated to providing compassionate, client-focused legal services. He is a trusted advocate in Southeastern Pennsylvania and has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for his outstanding work in family law.
The best way to understand how Cooper Family Law can support you is by hearing directly from those we’ve helped. Our clients consistently praise our attentive service, thoughtful legal guidance, and successful outcomes. Read through our client testimonials to see why families across the Philadelphia region trust us with their most important legal matters.
Although Patrick was ultimately unable to take my case due to prior contact from the other party, he still took the time to speak with me and explain the situation with clarity and professionalism. I appreciated his honesty and integrity, as well as the thoughtful guidance he offered during a difficult moment. It’s rare to encounter someone so straightforward and respectful, and I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone seeking knowledgeable and ethical legal counsel.
My divorce was a long and grueling process. I was very lucky to have somebody like Pat in my corner. Many times he went above and beyond my expectations and helped me through a really difficult time.Pat was readily available for whenever I needed him, which wound up being often. He is a stand-up guy who is knowledgable and experienced. He was ready to go to bat for me at a moments notice when the situation arrived (which wound up being often).Getting divorced is overwhelming, scary, and can make… More you feel like you are on your own. Having a guy like Pat on your side makes it a little bit easier.I highly recommend Pat.
I am grateful to have Patrick Cooper as my family lawyer. Patrick Cooper and his team was the highly competent, engaging, and accessible legal professionals that I needed to guide me through very complex legal matters that I was unfamiliar with. Attorney Cooper is not only well-informed, but also easy to talk to, takes the time needed to interpret the law and advise on options, cares about outcomes, and is affordable. I highly recommend the Cooper Family Law firm without any hesitation.
I am very grateful to have found Patrick and Monique in a difficult time! They were patient, reliable, always available to answer questions and provide recommendations along the way. I felt my interests were important to them and represented at every juncture. The process was smooth and handled so professionally, I never doubted I had experts in my corner.I’d absolutely recommend Cooper Family Law to anyone seeking legal representation!
Working with Cooper Family Law has been an excellent professional experience. Patrick Cooper demonstrates exceptional expertise in divorce law and maintains clear, timely communication throughout every stage of our collaboration. Their attention to detail and commitment to client outcomes make them a reliable partner in the legal field. Highly recommended for anyone seeking knowledgeable and efficient divorce attorneys in Philadelphia.
Cooper Family Law is the best divorce law firm in the Philadelphia area. They handled my complicated divorce with child custody, support, and division of property issues. My attorney and the support staff were excellent. They really took the time to understand my situation, explain the process to me, and helped me approach every decision that I had to make in an educated and practical way. I strongly recommend them to anyone else who needs a divorce lawyer in the Philadelphia area.
I am beyond grateful for the exceptional representation I received from attorney Zachary throughout my long and challenging custody case. This process has taken years prior to Cooper Law Firm and has been incredibly difficult—emotionally, mentally, and physically—for both me and my son. From the very beginning, Zach approached my case with compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what was best for my child’s wellbeing.As a young mother, I often felt dismissed or misunderstood… More before finding Cooper Law Firm. He was the first attorney who truly listened, believed in me, and validated what I was experiencing. He never made me feel irrational or unheard. Instead, he helped me feel grounded and supported through every step of the process.Zach’s dedication, attention to detail, and genuine care for my son’s mental and physical health were evident in everything he did. He consistently fought for what was right and made sure my son’s best interests were always the top priority.Thanks to Zach’s expertise and persistence, my son and I finally have the stability and peace we’ve been working toward for years. I cannot recommend Zach and his firm highly enough to anyone facing a difficult custody matter. Their professionalism, empathy, and commitment truly set them apart.
Zachary Bartman was an outstanding lawyer and I’m extremely grateful for his representation in my PFA case. He was professional, knowledgeable, and well-prepared from start to finish. He took the time to explain everything clearly, answered my questions honestly, fought hard for me in court and completely shut out the opposing council. Thanks to his expertise and confidence, we won the case. I highly recommend Zachary Bartman to anyone who needs a skilled and dependable attorney, especially for PFA… More matters.
My child custody case has been difficult from day one. I was previously represented by a lawyer who was not straightforward with me about the process and did not explain my options clearly. Working with the Cooper Family Law team was so much better. Like night and day. Patrick and his team were friendly and helpful from the beginning. Everyone that I worked with on the team was really sharp and also kind. They guided me through a very difficult time. They are the best child custody lawyers in the… More Philly area!
I hired the firm to draft my prenuptial agreement, including helping me put together my goals and the necessary disclosures. They were informative, efficient and personable but most importantly they kept us on track throughout the process so that we were able to finalize everything well before our wedding.
Zach is the guy that knows what he is doing. The system might appear to not be on your side at the beginning of your litigation, but Zach not only builds your case squarely but he also brings the law to your side with equity and fairness.You cannot be wrong with him. Thank you
Carol Krawitz has been nothing short of amazing. This has been the most difficult time of my life; however, Carol has made this transition for me as smooth as possible. She has displayed a great understanding of family law, which has helped me through my custody issues. Although my journey isn't over, I'm happy with the results that I have achieved with Carol Krawitz leading the process.
I had an extremely great experience with Zachary Bartman! I can’t thank him enough for the help he provided me with during an incredibly difficult time. I contacted the bar association, and he reached out to me first within that same day. He took the time to listen to me and assess the situation. Although it took time to detain him due to unfortunate events. That initial contact from him stuck with me! He led with confidence, empathy and compassion. I felt safe, heard, understood and supported all… More in a short phone call. When I was ready to start my legal journey; I called him back and he and his assistant Anna (I believe) met me with so much patience and grace. My custody and Divorce matter was a challenging situation, but he made it manageable and provided me with a phenomenal level of professionalism and understanding that made me feel ready, empowered and reassured. I was overwhelmed emotionally, and I have been bullied for years and tried to avoid the courts. I needed counsel at this point; I wanted fairness and what was best for my children. He walked me through the entire process before it happened; we talked, I cried, he listened to my story sincerely, we laughed at my thoughts/ jokes lol I felt supported the entire way! He made me proud the way he stepped up and handled the room. I will highly recommend Mr. Bartman to anyone in need of one of the best Divorce & custody lawyers! Cooper Family Law, you have a gem! Thank you!
Zachary helped me through my case. I truly believe it was because of him that I won. He listened to my story and he made sure the truth was heard in trial. He fostered confidence in me during a very anxious time. He was professional, polite, and understood his job very well. He walked me through the entire process before it happened and provided reassurance throughout. I'd recommend him to anyone I know.
I can’t thank Pat and his staff enough for the help they provided my family during an incredibly trying time. He took the time to listen and assess the situation, make thoughtful recommendations, and be a constant resource so we achieved our goal of a fair and equitable outcome. One of the best in PA!
Never a pleasure to be in court, but always a pleasure to work with Cooper Family Law. From the very beginning, they made a challenging situation manageable and provided a level of professionalism and understanding that was both reassuring and empowering. The team is thorough, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable about family law, guiding me through each step with patience and clear communication. Zachary Bartman, in particular, was a standout—his dedication and expertise led to a favorable outcome… More in my case, and I felt supported the entire way. If you're looking for a firm that truly has your back, Cooper Family Law is the one.
It was a smooth experience with this lawyer. She was very nice and polite. She did everything to make the divorce easy and smooth so I will appreciate anybody that want to use her in divorce to go ahead and have that confidence in this lawyer OK thank you guys. God bless.
Pat is a highly knowledgeable and compassionate family law attorney. Handles cases with professionalism and care, ensuring the best outcomes for his clients. Highly recommend!
Pat Cooper has the experience, expertise and communication skills that deliver favorable results. Pat's familiarity with Philadelphia's courts and judges proved invaluable.
Mr. Cooper’s “bedside manner” - if you will - is almost avuncular. His mastery of jurisprudence is evident after mere minutes into a conversation.To be succinct: The man is good at what he does.
I recently had the pleasure of working with Cooper Family Law, particularly with Zachary S. Bartman, for the preparation of a prenuptial agreement. From the initial consultation to the finalization of the prenuptial agreement, Zachary S. Bartman demonstrated a high level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication. He meticulously explained every aspect of the agreement, ensuring that I understood all the terms and conditions involved and that the agreement was fair and comprehensive. His responsiveness… More was remarkable—he consistently replied to my inquiries in a timely fashion, which greatly contributed to the smooth and efficient process.The entire process with Cooper Family Law was seamless, thanks to Zachary’s diligent efforts. The firm’s organizational skills, combined with Zachary’s expertise, made what could have been a stressful and complicated procedure remarkably straightforward and stress-free.I highly recommend Cooper Family Law and Zachary S. Bartman to anyone in need of legal assistance with prenuptial agreements or any other family law matters.
I was given last minute notice that I had to appear in court for a legal matter. I had one day to find representation and when I called Cooper Family Law, they took the time to listen to me and responded swiftly. Mr. Zachary Bartman contacted me to discuss the case and assured me that he would meet me in court the following day. Mr. Bartman exceeded my expectations in every way when it came to handling my case. He addressed any questions or concerns that I may have had. While I hated having to be… More in court, Mr. Bartman helped to make it more bearable for me. I can’t say enough good things about Mr. Bartman and this firm. In the end we got the desired outcome and I don’t believe it would have been possible without him. I am extremely appreciative for your help throughout this process, Zachary. I would 100 percent recommend this firm and if the need arises in the future, I will have them represent me. If you find yourself reading my review, please understand that I hate leaving reviews so that should speak to the level of professionalism that Zachary displayed. Don’t hesitate to contact Cooper Family Law if you need assistance.
Zach did a excellent job in handling my pfa case. Zach is very intelligent and sharp as a tac in handling the false accusations made against me. Most importantly you should consider hiring him to help you defend against a pfa because when it's time for him to do his job, he takes control of the court room and gets it done. It doesn't matter what kind of lies you are up against and the new lies that come out during court Zach puts it down thank you for the awesome job. Robert Nimchuk
When I first realized I needed a lawyer for my custody situation, I simply googled custody law and chose to call Cooper Family Law because I had heard the name before through some advertisement somewhere. My consultation with Zachary Bartman was smooth and reassuring but when I met him in person I noticed he looked super young, and I feared he lacked the experience needed to produce my desired outcome.My ex refused to concede any ground at all, and we were forced to go to a custody trial. When I… More tell you Zachary Bartman completely overwhelmed opposing counsel and made their arguments appear foolish to our trial judge, I am not exaggerating. In fact, I felt foolish for judging a book by its cover. He was able to get me what my family and I had set out for despite a mountain of lies and nonsense impeding us. I now cherish the time I get to spend with my son, and I thank God I picked up the phone to call Cooper Family Law everyday. I will highly recommend Mr. Bartman to anyone in need of one of the best custody lawyers in Philly/Delco/Montco areas, and if I am ever in another pickle I know he’s the guy to get the job done.
Patrick has done an amazing job reuniting our family. Very professional, prompt responses, and leaves no questions unanswered. We are very grateful that Patrick was sent out way, without him, we would not of had our family reunited. Patrick representing our family truly was a blessing. We highly recommend hiring Patrick.
Thank you for your great services, Mr. Patrick Cooper, he worked fast & efficiently to get a winning result ,I highly recommend Cooper Family law firm ,If you want to win any Custody issue or other Services. This is the go to firm.
