On August 13, 2024, Kayden's Law went into effect in Pennsylvania, legislation that makes critical changes to the state's child custody laws. The law is named after seven-year-old Kayden Mancuso, who died during a court-ordered visit with her father. Her tragic death highlighted the shortcomings in the state's custody evaluation process and its failure to protect her from a potentially dangerous situation. Kayden's Law is designed to address those shortcomings by prioritizing child safety in any court decisions regarding child custody and visitation. This legislation makes significant changes to Pennsylvania family law and will have an impact on all child custody decisions in the state.

The LLF Law Firm is dedicated to working with Pennsylvania families on all family law matters, including child custody and visitation. Call our Family Law Team today at (888) 535-3686 to schedule an appointment, or reach out using our contact form.

Elements of Kayden's Law

Some of the key changes to child custody that were introduced by Kayden's Law include:

• Safety Considerations: When making child custody and visitation decisions, Pennsylvania courts are required to prioritize the child's safety, including thoroughly evaluating evidence of any previous violence, abuse, or neglect by either parent.
• Judicial Training: Specialized judicial training is required for all judges and court personnel involved in child custody decisions. Training addresses the dynamics of child abuse and domestic violence to ensure that judicial personnel are better equipped to recognize and address potential dangers.
• Agency Communication: The law facilitates improved communication and information sharing between child protective services, courts, and law enforcement agencies. This collaborative approach is designed to ensure that all relevant information is considered when making child custody determinations.
• Protective Orders and Supervised Visitation: In cases where there is a credible risk to a child's safety, courts now have greater authority to issue protective orders and mandate supervised visitation. Even in situations where visitation is granted, the contact can be closely monitored to prevent harm to the child.

Kayden's Law makes child safety the primary consideration in child custody decisions, which may result in greater protective measures when there is any level of risk. Evaluations will play a greater role in informing the court's decisions regarding child custody, with a new requirement for expert evaluations. Increased thoroughness in these evaluations may make child custody disputes more complex, and as a result, parents may contest the assessment findings.

Overall, the changes introduced by Kayden's Law may lead to more consistent, informed rulings in child custody cases, as judges and court personnel are now required to document how any safety concerns are being addressed in their custody decisions.

Don't Take a Chance With Child Custody

When it comes to child custody disputes, you want to present the strongest possible case. The recent changes to Pennsylvania's child custody laws, as reflected in Kayden's Law, can make the custody process confusing and challenging. Don't take a chance with the outcome of your child custody case. The LLF Law Firm works with Pennsylvania families on child custody, visitation, and other family law matters to reach the best possible outcome in your situation. Call the LLF Law Firm Family Law Team today at (888) 535-3686 to schedule an appointment, or tell us about your child custody case using our contact form.