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Montgomery County, PA Child Custody Attorney

Do You Need a Proven Montgomery County Child Custody Lawyer?

If you're facing a custody dispute or planning to establish a parenting arrangement in Montgomery County, PA, it’s important to find a family law attorney who knows the local courts and understands the emotional and legal complexities of child custody.

At The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., we understand how stressful and personal these disputes can be. Sheryl R. Rentz provides strategic guidance and strong legal support during these challenging times.

Why Choose Sheryl R. Rentz Over Other Montgomery County Child Custody Lawyers?

Clients in Montgomery County turn to our firm because we provide honest advice, consistent communication, and skilled representation in even the most complex custody disputes.

Over 30 Years of Experience: Sheryl R. Rentz has practiced family law since 1992, giving her an in-depth understanding of custody laws in Pennsylvania.
Recognized in Suburban Life Magazine: Named one of the region's Top Attorneys for her commitment to local families.
Avvo-Rated Superb: A 10.0 rating reflects years of positive feedback and successful representation.
Respected Leadership: Ms. Rentz has served as Secretary and Co-chair of the Montgomery Bar Association, showing her dedication to the legal community.
Local Focus: Our firm exclusively serves Montgomery County and the surrounding areas, offering a deep knowledge of local courts, judges, and legal procedures.
Free Consultations: We offer no-cost initial consultations so you can understand your options before moving forward.

Getting the Support You Need to Protect Your Family

Contact our office now for personalized custody advice from a seasoned Pennsylvania attorney. Call (610) 645-0100 to schedule your free consultation.

Don’t Wait to Speak to a Custody Attorney

When your child’s future is at stake, time is of the essence. Waiting too long to act can compromise your legal position, especially if the other parent has already taken steps toward obtaining or modifying custody. Whether you're just beginning to think about your options or you're deep in a contentious custody battle, reaching out to a seasoned attorney can make all the difference.

Sheryl R. Rentz provides compassionate and strategic representation for parents in Montgomery County and nearby areas. Her experience and focus on family law means you’ll have strong legal guidance every step of the way, from initial filings to courtroom hearings and post-judgment enforcement or modification.

Types of Child Custody

Legal Custody

In Pennsylvania, joint or shared legal custody is encouraged whenever possible. With legal custody, you have the right to make all of the important decisions in your children’s lives. This includes what schools they attend, religious matters, where they obtain healthcare and all other crucial life decisions.

A judge may grant sole legal custody, which is when one parent is given complete rights over all that pertains to legal decisions involving the child. Circumstances when sole legal custody may be awarded can include whether the other parent:

Lives a great distance away
Is abusive or neglectful
Has a history of alcohol and substance addiction
Isn’t significantly involved in the child’s life

Physical Custody

Physical custody refers to the children’s living arrangements. There are three types:

Shared Physical Custody. Shared physical custody means the children have two permanent homes where they split their time.
Primary Physical Custody. When the parents share custody, but one will have the child more than 50% of the time and may be responsible for more physical care of the child.
Sole Physical Custody. If a parent is granted sole physical custody, then that parent provides the children’s permanent home. The non-custodial parent usually has visitation but may still share legal custody.

Factors the Judge Will Consider to Determine Custody and Visitation Arrangements

The judge will consider many issues when deciding where your children should live and who should make decisions regarding their upbringing, including the following:

Whether you were legally wed or can establish paternity
Willingness of parents to cooperate with one another and with the court
Physical and emotional needs of the children
Each parent’s financial situation
Expressed desires of the children (depending on age)
History of child abuse by one or both parents
Whether one parent lives in a different state from the other
Prior custodial arrangements made for siblings
Parents expressed custodial preferences

Decisions regarding visitation can take varying forms, as well. Judges consider similar factors when making these arrangements, such as:

Willingness and ability to obey the terms of the visitation agreement
Parental fitness
Needs of the children
Arrangements made for siblings
Geographic proximity of parents to one another

In the end, the court will make all decisions based on the best interests of your children.

Custody Services We Offer

Child custody cases are not one-size-fits-all. Whether your matter is amicable or contested, straightforward or complex, we tailor our legal strategy to meet your family’s specific needs. Below are some of the child custody services we provide in Montgomery County.

Legal Custody and Physical Custody

In Pennsylvania, custody is divided into legal custody (decision-making authority) and physical custody (where the child lives). We help clients seek shared or sole custody arrangements that best suit their child’s needs and family dynamics.

Custody Modifications

Circumstances change. Whether a parent is relocating, work schedules have shifted, or a child’s needs have evolved, we help clients petition the court for modifications to existing custody agreements.

Emergency Custody Orders

If your child is at risk, time is critical. We assist clients in filing emergency petitions to seek immediate changes to custody orders due to abuse, neglect, or other urgent concerns.

Enforcement of Custody Orders

If one parent is violating the terms of a custody order by denying parenting time or refusing to comply with court-mandated rules, we help enforce these agreements through the courts.

Relocation Matters

Moving with a child across county or state lines requires permission from the court or the other parent. We represent clients seeking or contesting relocation under Pennsylvania law.

Custody for Non-Biological Parents

Stepparents, grandparents, and others who have played a key role in a child’s life may have rights under Pennsylvania law. We guide clients through the legal process for third-party custody.

Custody and Divorce

We frequently assist parents going through divorce who need to establish custody as part of their overall separation agreement.

Grandparents’ Rights

In situations where neither parent is deemed fit to care for their children or is unable to for any reason, the court will consider guardianship or grandparents’ custodial rights. If grandparents are willing and able to care for the children, they may be able to petition for legal and physical custody.

Working out a Shared Physical Custody Schedule

Your shared physical custody schedule will reflect several issues, including the work schedules of each parent, and what schedule is most practical and beneficial. Some of the options include:

Every other week
Splitting every week on an alternating schedule
Every other weekend, plus weekday time splits

A shared physical custody plan, with the help of a Montgomery County family law attorney, can be created to match the individual needs of the children, work schedules of the parents, and other considerations associated with individual children. At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., we can assist parents who choose shared physical custody to work out a schedule that is reasonable for everyone, including when children will share holidays with each parent.

Securing a Custody Agreement That Works For Your Children

Early legal action can make all the difference. Call Sheryl R. Rentz today at (610) 645-0100.

Other Locations We Serve

What Clients Are Saying About Us

Sheryl is a family lawyer! -Laura W. (5-Star Yelp Review)

Sheryl is the BOMB!!! I had a high-conflict custody from hell. Sheryl got me custody back after almost 2 years of battling! She helped me keep custody and negotiate peace for our family. Sheryl is a family lawyer!

She doesn't back down - Randy L. (5-Star Yelp Review)

I wish I found Sheryl Rentz years ago. I was wasting my time and money with an attorney that was using typed letters and snail mail to correspond with my ex's attorney. Yes, he was less expensive but, as they say, you get what you pay for. Sheryl is a no-nonsense lawyer, extremely efficient, and she doesn't back down. She resolved my child support issue in 4 days after my previous lawyer failed to do it after 4 months. My only regret is that I didn't use her for my divorce and custody when I was first separated. The quicker I provided her with complete information and answers, the faster she worked. She provided me more information during my initial consultation than I received from my previous attorney.

Contact a Trusted Custody Attorney in Montgomery County

The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., brings clarity and compassion to child custody cases in Montgomery County. We take the time to understand your goals, explain your legal options, and represent you with integrity and dedication.

Whether you’re filing for custody, modifying an agreement, or resolving a conflict with your co-parent, we are ready to help. Call (610) 645-0100 to schedule your free consultation with our trusted Montgomery County child custody lawyer.

Parent Custody FAQs

Who Can Seek Custody of a Child?

Does My Sexual Orientation Factor into Custody?

Do Courts Favor Mothers Over Fathers in Regards to Custody?

What Happens if One Parent Does Not Abide by the Court's Ruling?

What Happens if We Cannot Agree on Custody and Visitation?

Can Child Custody and Visitation Terms be Changed?

Q: Who Can Seek Custody of a Child in Pennsylvania?

A: There are three different individuals who can petition for custody of a child, depending on the circumstances:

Parents of the child - The most obvious choice and foremost in the court’s mind.
Grandparents - In the state of Pennsylvania, grandparents have the right to seek custody provided certain criteria are met to the court’s satisfaction.
Someone in the position of a parent - Any individual who has assumed the role of a parent for a certain period of time and who the court finds suitable in regard to the particular situation. This is known in legal terminology as in loco parentis.

Q: Does My Sexual Orientation Factor into Custody?

A: No. Under Pennsylvania state law, the court or any other entity cannot use a parent’s sexual orientation as a factor when determining child custody.

Q: Do Courts Favor Mothers Over Fathers in Regards to Custody?

A: Not any longer. In years past, conventional wisdom dictated that a mother would best serve the needs of a child. Over time, this notion has shifted drastically, and today, courts no longer give mothers preferential treatment. Instead, judges focus on what situation would serve the child best.

Q: What Happens if One Parent Does Not Abide by the Court's Ruling?

A: One parent may decide to leave the other parent out when it comes to important matters, or when they take it upon themselves to make decisions without any feedback or input from the other parent. The parent who is doing the excluding could be taken back to court, where the excluded parent may file for a motion with the judge to require the parent to abide by the initial ruling, or that other parent could even be found in contempt of court.

Q: What Happens if We Cannot Agree on Custody and Visitation?

When parents cannot agree, the court steps in to decide based on the child's best interests. Judges in Montgomery County evaluate several factors, such as:

Each parent’s ability to provide a stable home
The child’s relationship with each parent
History of domestic violence or abuse
Each parent’s willingness to cooperate
The child's school and community ties

In cases of high conflict, the court may order a custody evaluation, involving interviews and assessments by a neutral expert. Our firm prepares detailed evidence and testimony to ensure your side is presented clearly and effectively.

Q: Can Child Custody and Visitation Terms be Changed?

Yes, custody and visitation terms are not set in stone. If either parent experiences a substantial change in circumstances, such as a relocation, job change, or concerns about the child's safety, they can file a petition to modify the custody order.

Common reasons for modification include:

A parent moves out of the area
The child's needs change significantly (e.g., education or medical issues)
One parent fails to comply with the existing order
Allegations of neglect, abuse, or instability arise

Meet Our Attorney

Sheryl R. Rentz

Sheryl R. Rentz has provides dedicated legal representation to individuals and families throughout Montgomery County and the surrounding areas. As the founder of The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, P.C., she focuses her practice exclusively on family law, with an emphasis on complex divorce, child custody, and support matters.

Additional Information

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(610) 645-0100

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Sheryl Rentz

Meet Sheryl Rentz