Bethlehem Child Custody Lawyer

Helping Bethlehem Families Navigate Custody Disputes

Child custody disputes in Bethlehem can be overwhelming. Parents and grandparents are asked to make major decisions about a child’s future while dealing with conflict, financial stress, or the end of a relationship. At Madsen Law Offices, we help families in Bethlehem and across the Lehigh Valley move through the custody process with a clear plan and a focus on what is best for the child.

We work with mothers, fathers, and other caregivers in many different situations: divorce, separation, never-married parents, cases involving Children & Youth Services, and situations where a child is already living with a grandparent or relative. Whether you are seeking your first custody order, asking for changes to an existing schedule, or trying to address a parent who is not following the order, our firm is prepared to guide you through each step.

Our attorneys understand both Pennsylvania custody law and the local practices in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. We aim to protect your relationship with your child while working toward a stable, realistic schedule that fits your family’s life in and around Bethlehem.

Child Custody Matters We Handle in Bethlehem and Lehigh County

No two custody cases in Bethlehem look exactly alike. Some involve safety concerns or substance use; others center on school schedules, work shifts, or a parent’s move. At Madsen Law Offices, we handle a wide range of custody matters for Bethlehem families, including:

• Filing new custody complaints for parents who are divorcing, separating, or who have never been married
• Petitions to modify custody orders when schedules, schools, or safety issues change
• Petitions for contempt when one party is not following the current custody order
• Relocation cases where a parent wants to move with a child away from Bethlehem or out of Lehigh/Northampton County
• Custody disputes involving protection from abuse (PFA) orders or domestic violence allegations
• Cases involving Children & Youth Services (CYS) in Lehigh or Northampton County
• Grandparent, stepparent, and other third-party custody or visitation matters
• Emergency and special relief petitions when there are immediate concerns about a child’s safety or stability
• Custody issues that overlap with divorce, child support, or juvenile/CYS involvement

Custody often connects with other areas of family law. At Madsen Law Offices, we coordinate strategy so your custody case, support issues, and any related PFAs or juvenile matters are handled with the bigger picture in mind.

How Bethlehem and Lehigh County Child Custody Cases Move Through the System

Pennsylvania’s custody laws apply statewide, but the way your case moves forward depends on where you live and which county has jurisdiction. Many Bethlehem custody cases are heard at the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in Allentown. Some Bethlehem addresses, however, fall on the Northampton County side, which may mean your case belongs in the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas in Easton. We help you determine the correct court and file in the proper county.

Starting Your Custody Case

Most cases begin with filing one of the following in the appropriate Court of Common Pleas:

• A Custody Complaint, when there is no current custody order
• A Petition to Modify Custody, when an existing order no longer fits your situation
• A Petition for Contempt, when the other party is not following the order

The court requires specific forms, including background information and a proposed parenting plan. At Madsen Law Offices, we prepare and file this paperwork so your case is presented clearly from the start and meets county rules.

Custody Conferences and Negotiation

In many Bethlehem-area cases, the court schedules an early custody conference with a conference officer or similar professional. This is often held at the courthouse in Allentown for Lehigh County cases, or in Easton for Northampton County cases. At the conference, the officer will:

• Review the main issues in dispute
• Encourage parents to explore possible agreements
• Identify what needs to be decided by a judge if no agreement is reached

Children are generally not present at this stage. Reaching a reasonable agreement at or near the conference can save time, cost, and ongoing conflict. We work with you to prepare for the conference and to negotiate a schedule that aligns with your child’s needs and your day-to-day life in Bethlehem.

Hearings, Trials, and Court Orders

If your case does not resolve at the conference, it may move to a judge. The judge can schedule pre-trial conferences, require parenting programs or counseling, and set deadlines for exchanging evidence and witness information. In higher-conflict cases, the court may explore services such as co-parent counseling or supervised visitation.

If no agreement is reached, the judge will hold a custody trial. At trial, each side may present testimony and evidence, including school records, medical information, messages, and witness statements. The judge applies Pennsylvania’s “best interests of the child” standard, looking at many factors such as safety, stability, the child’s routine, and each parent’s involvement.

Life continues to change after a custody order is entered. Parents may need to modify the order when jobs, schools, or living situations change, or when one parent repeatedly ignores the existing schedule. Our firm remains available to advise and represent Bethlehem clients when adjustments or enforcement become necessary.

Why Local Lehigh County Experience Helps in Bethlehem Custody Cases

Two custody cases that seem similar on paper can unfold very differently depending on the county and the judge. Lehigh and Northampton Counties each have their own local rules, forms, and scheduling practices. Having a firm that regularly appears in both courts helps you understand what is realistic and how to prepare.

Local experience is especially helpful when:

• Your address in Bethlehem could place your case in either Lehigh County or Northampton County
• Your case involves CYS, local schools, or mental health providers in the Bethlehem and Allentown areas
• There are related PFAs or criminal matters in nearby Magisterial District Courts that could affect custody
• You need guidance on local resources, such as co-parenting programs or supervised visitation providers

At Madsen Law Offices, we combine a detailed understanding of custody law with practical knowledge of how Bethlehem-area cases are actually handled in Lehigh and Northampton County courts.

Our Approach to Bethlehem Child Custody Cases

Every family has its own history, concerns, and goals. Our approach is structured but flexible so it fits your situation.

Getting Clear on Your Goals

We start by listening. In your consultation, we discuss your child’s routine, school schedule, activities in and around Bethlehem, and any safety or communication concerns. Together, we identify what matters most to you now and what you hope to see in the long term.

Gathering the Right Information Early

Custody cases are stronger when key information is organized from the beginning. We help you gather and review school and medical records, calendars showing time with your child, text and email communications, and any documentation of problems that may affect the court’s decision.

Working Toward Practical Agreements

Many Bethlehem custody cases can be resolved through negotiation and the conference process. We look for solutions that respect your child’s needs, your work schedule, and the realities of travel, school, and activities in the Lehigh Valley. When it is safe and reasonable, we aim to resolve matters without a full trial.

Being Ready for Court When Necessary

If an agreement is not possible, we prepare thoroughly for court. That includes planning your testimony, organizing exhibits, preparing witnesses, and anticipating how the judge might view the facts. We represent parents and caregivers in contested custody hearings, including cases involving relocation, CYS investigations, and third-party custody.

Ongoing Guidance After an Order

Your need for guidance does not end when the judge signs a custody order. We advise Bethlehem clients on how to handle violations, how to document ongoing issues, and when it may be time to seek a modification. Our goal is to be a long-term resource as your child grows and circumstances change.

Local Courts and Agencies Bethlehem Families May Encounter

Depending on where you live in Bethlehem, your custody case may go through Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in Allentown or Northampton County Court of Common Pleas in Easton. Along the way, you may interact with:

• The Family Court division of the Lehigh or Northampton County Court of Common Pleas
• Custody conference officers or similar court professionals
• Lehigh County or Northampton County Children & Youth Services (CYS), if there is an open case
• Local counselors, co-parenting programs, and supervised visitation providers in the Bethlehem–Allentown–Easton area

At Madsen Law Offices, we explain who each of these players is, what they do, and how to prepare for each step of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bethlehem Child Custody

Which court will handle my Bethlehem child custody case?

Many Bethlehem custody cases are heard at the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in Allentown. However, some Bethlehem addresses fall in Northampton County, which means your case may belong in the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas in Easton. We review your address and circumstances to determine the proper court and file in the correct county.

How long does a custody case take in Lehigh County?

The length of a custody case depends on how contested it is, the court’s schedule, and whether agreements can be reached early. Some Bethlehem-area cases resolve around the time of the first custody conference, while others require further conferences, evaluations, or a trial, which can take longer. We discuss likely timelines with you and keep you updated as your case moves forward.

What if the other parent is not following our custody order?

If the other parent is ignoring the order, refusing exchanges, or frequently late, you can ask the court to enforce the order. This is often done by filing a Petition for Contempt or related motion in the appropriate county. We help Bethlehem clients document violations and present those concerns to the court in a clear, organized way.

Can grandparents or relatives in Bethlehem seek custody or visitation?

In some situations, grandparents, stepparents, or other relatives may be allowed to file for custody or time with a child. For example, if a child has been living with a relative, or if a grandparent has played a major role in raising the child, the court may recognize their right to ask for involvement. We evaluate your circumstances under Pennsylvania law and explain what options may be available.

Will the court talk to my child about where they want to live?

Judges can consider a child’s preferences, especially as the child gets older, but they are not required to follow the child’s wishes. Whether and how the court hears from a child depends on the child’s age, maturity, and the judge’s view of what is appropriate in your case. We explain how this is typically handled in Lehigh and Northampton County courts and what it may mean for your family.

Talk With a Bethlehem Child Custody Lawyer

If you are facing a child custody case in Bethlehem or anywhere in Lehigh or Northampton County, you do not have to handle it on your own. At Madsen Law Offices, we help parents, grandparents, and other caregivers understand their options and build a plan that keeps the child’s needs at the center of the case.

To speak with a Bethlehem child custody lawyer, call 484-548-0529 to schedule a confidential consultation. Our office is located at 680 Wolf Avenue, Easton, PA 18042, a short drive from Bethlehem, and we proudly serve families throughout the Lehigh Valley.