Decisions about where your child lives, how much time you share, and who makes important choices about school and health can feel overwhelming. If you are facing child custody issues in Bala Cynwyd or along the Main Line, you do not have to work through these questions alone.

At Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC, we focus our practice on divorce and family law. Our attorneys guide parents through Pennsylvania custody matters with the goal of protecting both their relationships with their children and their long-term stability. We listen carefully, explain your options clearly, and work with you on a path that fits your family.

Call (215) 544-3974 to schedule a consultation with our Bala Cynwyd child custody lawyers. 

Why Parents Choose Our Custody Team

When custody is at stake, many parents want to know that their attorney concentrates on family law rather than handling many unrelated areas. Our firm devotes its work exclusively to divorce and family law matters, including parenting arrangements, relocation cases, and third party custody disputes. This focus allows us to stay current with Pennsylvania custody law and local expectations in Montgomery County.

Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC brings together large firm experience and boutique level service. Several of our attorneys built their careers in bigger practices before choosing a more personal setting. As a result, we are comfortable with complex, high conflict matters, yet we remain committed to providing direct communication, careful preparation, and individualized strategies for each client.

Our firm is led by Lori K. Shemtob, who has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. These honors reflect years spent working on challenging family law cases and helping shape the field. For parents involved in contested custody, this level of recognition can translate to thoughtful strategy, strong written advocacy, and confident courtroom presentation when a hearing becomes necessary.

We also value collaborative solutions. Whenever it is realistic and safe, we work to resolve custody and parenting time through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution. This approach often helps reduce conflict and keeps the focus on your child. At the same time, if settlement is not possible, our attorneys are prepared to present your position in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas with careful attention to the facts and the statutory factors the court must consider.

How Child Custody Works in Pennsylvania

The court applies a best interests of the child standard when deciding custody disputes. Judges in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas review a series of statutory factors, such as each parent’s involvement in daily care, the need for stability, any history of abuse, the level of cooperation between parents, and the child’s relationships with siblings and extended family. No single factor controls every decision. Instead, the court looks at the entire picture.

Families in Bala Cynwyd and the surrounding Main Line communities often have specific concerns about school districts, extracurricular activities, and transportation. For example, one parent may commute into Center City while the other works closer to home, or a child may be very involved in sports or music programs based in the area. These practical details can influence the structure of a parenting schedule and the allocation of weekday and weekend time.

It is also common for parents to reach an agreement on legal or physical custody without a full trial. Some families are able to work out a parenting plan through direct negotiation with guidance from their attorneys. Others use mediation or court connected conferences that are available in Montgomery County custody proceedings. When parents cannot reach agreement, the judge generally hears testimony and reviews evidence before entering an order.

Our Approach to Resolving Custody Disputes

When you contact us, we start by listening. We want to understand your child’s routine, your role in daily life, the other parent’s involvement, and any concerns you have about communication, decision making, or safety. This foundation helps us identify the issues that matter most and the options for addressing them.

From there, we often explore ways to reach agreement without prolonged litigation. For many parents, a carefully crafted parenting plan can provide structure and reduce conflict. We work with you to outline schedules, holidays, transportation responsibilities, and decision making processes in a way that reflects your child’s age, school schedule, and other commitments. In appropriate cases, we may suggest mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution to help both parents focus on solutions instead of past disagreements.

Sometimes, however, the gap between positions is too wide or there are serious concerns about a child’s safety or well being. In those situations, court involvement becomes more likely. When a custody hearing in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas is ahead, we prepare with you in detail. Preparation may include organizing records that reflect your involvement, identifying witnesses who know your parenting strengths, and planning how to address difficult topics respectfully but firmly.

We are mindful that prolonged conflict can weigh heavily on children. Throughout the process, we encourage clients to keep their children out of adult disputes and to avoid using them as messengers or sounding boards. We also know that communication with the other parent can be challenging. We talk about practical tools parents can use, such as written communication methods that help reduce escalations and maintain a clear record when appropriate.

If you believe a custody issue is developing, there are practical steps you can take now:

• Keep a calm, detailed record of your daily involvement with your child, such as school drop offs, medical appointments, and activities.
• Save important communications with the other parent and try to remain respectful and child focused in your messages.
• Avoid making sudden changes to the child’s schedule or residence without advice, unless there is an immediate safety concern.
• Refrain from speaking negatively about the other parent to or in front of your child.
• Contact a family law attorney early so you can understand your rights and obligations before positions harden.