Who Are We?

Our firm is composed of experienced attorneys who regularly practice family law, divorce, custody, adoptions and child support, spousal support, alimony and equitable distribution of property in McKean, Potter, Tioga and Cameron County, Pennsylvania. Our attorneys have been appointed by the Court of Common Pleas in multiple cases to serve as guardian ad litem to represent the interests of children and has gained the trust of the Court through detailed, honest reports in these cases. Our firm has also been called upon by other attorneys to mediate custody disputes when no solution could be reached by the parties. Each of our attorneys has a family and children and is dedicated to seeking justice and the best interests of the child.

Each County in Pennsylvania has its own unique custody procedures, and  each case involves a variation on the general practices of the County based upon the unique situation presented.  Some custody actions are straight forward and some actions involve third parties seeking custody such as a grandparent seeking to assert grandparent's rights.  Some actions involve allegations of abuse, but most cases involve two parents disputing over what is the best custody agreement for the child.

In Potter County, the process begins with the filing of a Custody Complaint with the Prothonotary at the Court House in Coudersport, PA.  The file will then go to Judge Stephen Minor for review and an Order to mediate.  Potter County local rules require that each custody action be mediated before presentment to the judge.  The mediator utilized in Potter County is Penny Miller.  The parties each split the cost of the mediation.  They have the right to have an attorney represent them at the mediation (some counties forbid lawyers from participating in the mediation).  

If a custody agreement is reached, then the Mediator writes down the agreement and it becomes an Order of the Court and is enforceable as such. 

If the parties cannot reach an agreement, then the Court will set a date and time for trial and will determine what the custody arrangement will be based upon the evidence presented at trial.  

The parties are, of course, free to and encouraged to reach an agreement at any time before the trial and if the same is submitted to the Court in proper form the Court will adopt it as an Order.

What We Do

The custody process can be very confusing, and you only get one shot to get it right.  If the language in your agreement is vague you could end up with disputes or an unenforceable agreement.  We are experts at resolving and litigating simple and complex custody cases.  We have experience with multiple party litigation and mediation, with intervening grandparents, with abuse allegations, with educational disputes and relocation cases.  Let our experienced custody attorneys help you.

(814)-274-8612

Child Custody

Why Do We Care About Helping You?

Our firm is dedicated to helping people. We want to help you find a workable solution that will protect your children and provide a stable future for them. At Ross & Ross, each child matters.

From offices in Coudersport, Potter County, Pennsylvania, Ross and Ross, LLC serves the personal injury, bankruptcy, social security disability, divorce and family law needs of Western, Northwestern, Central and North Central Pennsylvania including the communities of Coudersport, Galeton, Shinglehouse, West Branch, Smethport, Port Allegany, Bradford, Roulette and Wellsboro, as well as Potter County, McKean County, Tioga County, Bradford County and other areas of Western PA and Central PA.