Child-Led Custody Solutions
Raising a child is difficult...raising a child while at odds with another parent is nearly impossible. Having a clear set of expectations and rules makes things easier, but typically that is only possible through the court system. And the court doesn't want to make decisions for your child, they want parents to come to agreement and find solutions for their own families. Navigating a months-long court process, the stress of a trial, and the final bill is enough to make even the toughest parent crumble.
Attorneys and Judges do their best to create custody orders that are in the best-interest of the child--but who knows what a child really needs better than their own grown-ups? And kids these days are a lot like their parents: smart, outspoken, and clear about what they want. Developing or modifying an agreement that makes everyone happy is the goal, but the outcome is often much different. Courts have eight to, at most, 16 hours to listen to your custody dispute--they can't hear from everyone that is important to you, they can't listen to all the details, they don't get a complete picture of all the moving pieces and parts of your life.
We've seen the difficulty this balancing act has caused families and the courts for the past 20 years and things haven't gotten any easier. That's why we have been refining a process that acknowledges the difficulty of balancing the changing needs of a family with the strict guidelines of an enforceable court order that protects all parties. Child-Led Custody Solutions is an intentional, attorney-guided process that focuses on the needs of the child, helps to rebuild the coalition of grownups around that child, and emphasizes communication and understanding throughout the process.
As a court-appointed Parenting Coordinator and Guardian ad litem, Attorney Benson has experience with what the courts will order in custody cases. And what's more, Attorney Benson knows what can be possible in custody cases, what aspects the court could focus on for the long-term success of the child and family, and she is not afraid to ask for a unique, unconventional request on behalf of a child.
Ready to put your child's interest at the center of your custody decision-making?
Contact us for a consultation, and take the first step toward a cooperative
and child-focused child custody arrangement.
money, money, money
Average retainer for custody litigation and trial (and phone calls, and copying documents, and emails between attorneys, and prepping exhibits, and multiple hearings, and responding every time the other party has an issue, and filing, etc): $5,000 - $10,000
CLCS:$2,500 per party, start to finish. ALL of your money goes toward creating solutions, and 100% of your time (and ours!) goes toward the custody issue, not making copies, filing...
time is precious
In Pennsylvania, it can take anywhere from 5 - 15 months to obtain a custody order, depending on various factors.
Child-Led Custody Solutions is a process that aims to have a child-centered custody agreement ready to present to the court within
3 - 5 months--all without the need to step foot in the courtroom!
we all need a village
Families have as many opinions as they do members, and a custody order often impacts more than just the parents and child. We know that Aunt Millie, Grandpa Chris, and Cousin Charlene all have opinions about what can work for their family, and CLCS believes those key family members can--and should--have a say! We include whoever you'd like in the process to ensure a fully-supported, realistic agreement everyone can get behind.
it's in the details
Traditional custody orders are standard, cookie-cutter, not taking into account the ins and outs of everyday life with your family. Courts have limited time to hear your concerns and can't consider every detail.
When the child is at the center of a custody agreement, everyone is focused on what matters most, and as your child grows and changes, we will be there to help discover the best way to change your child-led agreement.
