How to Approach Pennsylvania Custody Orders During Summer

July 27, 2026
Newly divorced or separated parents in Pennsylvania should be aware that a custody schedule for the school year does not automatically govern summer. If your order is silent, vague, or your co-parent is ignoring its terms, you have legal options. However, much depends on what your order actually says and which county your case is in.
If you have questions about your summertime custody orders, speak with the experienced Family Law Team at the LLF Law Firm. We can help you understand your rights and ensure that your child’s best interests are protected. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.

What Does Your Custody Order Say About Summer?

Most Pennsylvania child custody orders address summer parenting time separately from the school-year schedule and may be treated as an exception to your usual arrangement. Read the order carefully before assuming your current schedule continues throughout June, July, and August.
If your order doesn’t mention summer, you may need to resort to the court to determine any arguments over custody. Pennsylvania courts decide custody disputes based on what is in the child’s best interests. State law sets out a specific list of factors judges must consider when making that determination. The most relevant ones in a summer dispute are likely to include which parent:
  • encourages the child’s relationship with the co-parent
  • supports stability and continuity in the child’s activities and routines
  • has concrete childcare arrangements in place
  • demonstrates a willingness to cooperate.
Keep in mind that parents who are organized, communicate well, and make reasonable suggestions tend to be looked upon favorably by the court. A parent who withholds the children, refuses to communicate, or disrupts established summer plans doesn’t.

What if your order is vague or you can’t agree with your co-parent?

If your order doesn’t address summer custody specifically, sending your co-parent a written proposal, via text or email at the very least, is a solid first step. If discussion or negotiation doesn’t work, most Pennsylvania counties route custody disputes through a conciliation conference or mediation before the matter reaches a judge.
You generally cannot go straight to a hearing. Each county’s intake process determines how long that takes. Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, and Allegheny all have their own local rules and standing order templates. What works procedurally in one county may not apply in another.
If your order is vague about summer custody, put your proposed interpretation in writing and send it to your co-parent. If that fails, you may opt to file a Petition to Modify to make changes to the custody order. Most counties will route that petition through a conciliation conference before it reaches a judge, so the sooner you file, the sooner you get a resolution.

What if the co-parent doesn’t return the children?

If the co-parent retains the children beyond the agreed or court-ordered return date, or you believe they have left the state or country with the children without permission, you should file a contempt petition or a motion for emergency special relief as soon as possible. Such filings can result in an expedited hearing and sanctions against the non-compliant parent. The court may award you emergency child custody.

The Family Law Team at the LLF Law Firm Can Help

Whether your order needs to be enforced, modified, or clarified, or if you need to file a motion for emergency special relief, the Family Law Team at the LLF Law Firm is here to help. Don’t hesitate – call our offices today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online for an evaluation of your case. We’ve helped numerous Pennsylvania parents manage custody dispute issues. We want to help you, too.

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