Family changes can hit like a storm. A breakup, a move, money worries, or safety fears can all collide at once. When that happens, you need more than forms and court dates. You need a calm guide who understands both Pennsylvania law and how local judges in Delaware, Chester, and Philadelphia Counties view family cases.
A family law lawyer can take the guesswork out of divorce, custody, support, and adoption. With clear advice and a plan that fits your life, you can protect your kids, your finances, and your future instead of reacting in panic.
Schuster Law has spent more than three decades helping families in Pennsylvania work through hard transitions with skill and empathy.
Local Spotlight: Family Courts in and Around Delaware County
Family disputes here are decided under Pennsylvania law, but every county has its own habits and unwritten rules. Judges in Delaware County often look closely at stability for children, how parents share decisions, and whether each parent supports the child’s bond with the other parent. Courts in Chester and Philadelphia Counties see many of the same issues, but the pace, scheduling, and typical settlement patterns may differ.
Working with a lawyer who appears in these courts often means your strategy matches local practice. That can affect everything from your first temporary order to your final agreement.
Full-Service Family Law Representation
Family law covers far more than divorce paperwork. The attorneys at Schuster Law handle a wide range of matters, from simple agreements to complex multi-state disputes.
They assist clients with:
Divorce and legal separation across Pennsylvania, including cases with businesses, real estate, or retirement accounts that must be divided fairly.
Child custody and parenting plans that focus on the child’s daily life, school schedule, holidays, and contact with each parent.
Child support, from setting the first order to updating or enforcing payments when someone’s income or needs change.
Protection from abuse orders for people facing domestic violence or ongoing threats, including safety planning and coordination with criminal cases.
Adoption, including private, agency, step-parent, and more complex tribal, interstate, or special-needs cases.
Property and debt division, so you understand what is marital, what is separate, and how to protect your share of the home, retirement accounts, and other assets.
Unmarried couples and LGBTQ+ families, who often need tailored parenting, property, and relationship agreements.
Many cases also involve accountants, business valuators, mental health experts, or investigators. The firm brings those professionals in when needed so your case is grounded in solid facts, not guesswork.
Divorce and Legal Separation: Protecting Your Next Chapter
Divorce is rarely just about signing papers. Emotions run high, and issues like money, time with the kids, and housing can trigger conflict. A divorce attorney steps in to manage the legal work, keep problems from snowballing, and guard your rights under Pennsylvania law.
In contested divorces, your lawyer looks for complete financial disclosure, watches for hidden assets, and works to reach a fair deal or prepare for trial if needed. High conflict cases may involve business valuation, tracing separate and marital property, and handling support disputes.
In uncontested divorces, the focus is on getting a clear, enforceable agreement on custody, support, and property. Even when you and your spouse agree on “most things,” small mistakes in a settlement can lead to big fights later. Your attorney checks that the terms are legal, practical, and in line with court expectations.
Some couples choose a formal separation instead of a quick divorce. A separation agreement can set up temporary support, custody, and bills while you decide what comes next. Later, the agreement may be used as a roadmap for the final divorce.
Custody and Parenting Plans: Keeping Children at the Center
Parents often say custody fights are more draining than any money dispute. The law talks about “legal” and “physical” custody, but what really matters is the child’s day-to-day routine and sense of stability.
A family law lawyer can help you sort through questions like:
Where will the children live during the week and on weekends?
Who decides on medical care, school choices, and activities?
How are holidays, vacations, and special days shared?
What happens if one parent moves or changes work hours?
Pennsylvania courts weigh many factors, including each parent’s ability to provide a safe home, support the child’s bond with the other parent, and meet school and community needs. Long-distance parenting, frequent travel, or military duty may require creative schedules, virtual time, and clear rules for communication.
If your situation changes, you may be able to modify custody. New jobs, new partners, moves, or serious conflicts can all justify a change in the plan when they affect the child in a real way.
When It Is Time to Call a Child Custody Attorney
Some parents manage simple custody agreements on their own. Others face complex or risky situations where going without a lawyer is too dangerous.
You should consider contacting a custody attorney if you and the other parent live in different states or countries. Different courts may fight over which one controls the case, and rules like the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act can be tricky.
You also need urgent help if you fear for your child’s safety due to violence, substance use, serious mental health issues, or criminal activity. Evidence of risk must be presented clearly; you cannot rely only on your word.
Major life changes like relocation, remarriage, or big schedule shifts are another warning sign. Courts expect parents to come back and adjust orders when those changes affect a child’s daily life.
Finally, if the other parent has hired an attorney, you should not walk into court alone. A custody order affects your relationship with your children for years. One-sided agreements and overlooked details can be hard to fix later.
Child Support: Setting, Changing, and Enforcing Payments
Child support is meant to keep children housed, clothed, fed, and supported even when their parents live apart. Pennsylvania uses guideline charts based on both parents’ incomes and the parenting schedule, but real cases also involve health insurance, childcare, and school costs.
A child support lawyer can help you:
Calculate support correctly using accurate income numbers and prove any reason to depart from the guideline amount.
Ask the court to change support when someone loses a job, earns more, or when custody shifts.
Enforce an order when payments fall behind through wage garnishment, bank levies, license actions, or contempt proceedings.
Parents who receive notice of a modification hearing often feel panicked. An attorney can explain what the court will look at, help you gather pay records and expenses, and make sure your side of the story is heard.
Protection From Abuse and Domestic Violence
If you are being harmed, threatened, stalked, or controlled by a current or former partner or family member, you may qualify for a Protection from Abuse order.
Lawyers who handle these cases can help you file emergency petitions, prepare for final hearings, and enforce an order if the other person violates it. Safety planning, shelter referrals, and coordination with criminal cases are also part of the work.
On the other side, a person accused of abuse needs representation too. An order can affect where you live, your job, and your contact with your children. Having a lawyer does not excuse harm; it ensures the facts are presented fully and fairly.
Talking With a Family Law Lawyer in Delaware County, PA
Family problems do not fix themselves. A short, confidential consultation can give you clarity about your rights, your risks, and your options. Schuster Law offers free case evaluations and 24/7 access to schedule a meeting by calling 610-892-9200.
Your attorney can review your situation, explain how Pennsylvania law applies, and suggest the next steps that match your goals and budget. With the right support, you can move through divorce, custody, support, or adoption with more control and less fear.
