PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY LAW

A clearer next step for you and your family.

Divorce. Custody. A plan for what comes next.

When family life changes, knowing what to keep, what to document and which questions to ask can make the first conversation more useful. Start with practical guidance, then discuss your circumstances with Barchiesi Law.

Get the free preparation kit Discuss your next step

You do not need every document before reaching out. If you have court papers or a deadline, call promptly.

FREE FAMILY LAW RESOURCE

Prepare.
Preserve.
Plan.

✓ Divorce & custody document checklist

✓ Parenting and communication log

✓ Questions for your consultation

A three-page PDF to complete privately.Get the free kit

START WITH THE ISSUES THAT MATTER

Divorce and custody involve different decisions.

Preparing for divorce

Divorce ends a marriage, but finances, property, debt and support need their own careful review. An agreement about separating does not mean every financial question has been resolved.

Identify the immediate concerns. Note safety issues, housing, access to funds, insurance and papers already served.
Build a financial picture. Gather available income, tax, asset and debt records, along with any marital agreements.
Review the legal path. Filing, service, required waiting periods and contested issues affect the process. County procedures and individual circumstances matter.
Address economic claims before finalizing. Ask counsel about preserving property, alimony and other financial claims before a divorce decree; rights can be lost if claims are not raised in time.
Review proposed terms carefully. Understand the effect of a settlement before signing, transferring property or waiving rights.

Preparing for a custody matter

Custody focuses on the child’s best interests, with particular attention to safety. Legal custody concerns important decisions; physical custody concerns where a child spends time. No schedule is automatic.

Start with current orders. Keep complete copies of custody, protection and related court orders, plus hearing notices.
Describe the child’s routine. Record caregiving, school, medical needs, transportation and the current parenting schedule.
Keep a factual log. Note dates, exchanges, missed time and relevant communications without insults, speculation or coaching the child.
Discuss a workable plan. Consider school days, holidays, transportation, communication and the child’s particular needs.
Get advice before major changes. Review relocation, changes to an order, enforcement or urgent safety concerns with counsel. Follow current orders unless the court changes them.

These are preparation steps, not filing instructions or a prediction of your result. Divorce, custody and support may proceed separately.

KEEP THE RECORD, NOT JUST THE SCREENSHOT

What should you preserve?

Financial and legal records

Marriage and marital agreements; court papers and envelopes; tax returns; pay records; bank, retirement and investment statements; mortgage and title records; loans, credit cards, insurance and household expenses. Identify business interests and property owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance.

Parenting and child-related records

Existing orders, calendars of actual parenting time, exchange details, school and childcare records, medical information you may lawfully access, shared expenses, and relevant messages. Keep the child’s needs and routine at the center.

Original communications

Save full message threads, emails and relevant files with dates and context. Keep originals and a secure backup. Write a dated timeline that separates what you observed from what someone else reported.

Preserve information lawfully and safely.

Do not access someone else’s accounts without permission, install tracking tools, alter records or delete relevant messages. Ask counsel before recording conversations. Do not post evidence publicly, involve children in gathering evidence, or send sensitive records through this resource form. If account access is monitored, use a safe device and discuss safe contact options.

A USEFUL FIRST STEP

Get the checklist.
Be ready for the conversation.

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Call (215) 543-6788. A download request does not extend any deadline or establish representation.

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Your free checklist

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Questions families often ask

Do I need to gather everything before calling?

No. Bring what is available and list what is missing. Do not miss a response date or delay asking about a safety concern while collecting documents.

Does divorce automatically decide custody or child support?

No. These issues have separate procedures. Discuss each issue, any existing orders and the appropriate county with counsel.

Is custody automatically 50/50?

No particular schedule is guaranteed. Courts consider the child’s best interests and safety under Pennsylvania law; an individual review matters.

What if there is abuse or an immediate safety concern?

Call 911 for immediate danger. Ask promptly about protection orders and emergency court options. A checklist request is not monitored as an emergency service. Avoid mediation or direct negotiations that would put anyone at risk.

What happens when I request the free kit?

Your name, email, phone and contact choices are saved for the firm. The PDF becomes available immediately on this page; it is not automatically emailed. Text-message choices and a consultation request are optional. Keep completed worksheets private. The form does not establish representation.

Official Pennsylvania resources

Reviewed October 16, 2026. General educational information, not legal advice. Local requirements and the facts of your case affect the next step.