Walking into Family Court in Pittsburgh for the first time can feel overwhelming. You want to protect your child, understand the process, and show up prepared. This guide explains how custody conferences and hearings work in Allegheny County, what to bring, how Pennsylvania’s best-interest factors are applied, and practical do’s and don’ts to help you feel steady and ready. We also share options like mediation and negotiated parenting plans, and how our team prepares clients so they know what to expect at each step.
A note on jurisdiction: custody procedures vary by county. This article focuses on Allegheny County and may not apply elsewhere in Pennsylvania. If your case is in a different county, contact us for localized guidance.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Local resources include the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Action Against Rape.
How Allegheny County schedules your first conference or hearing
After a custody complaint or petition for modification is filed with the Department of Court Records, Family Division, the court schedules your matter. Almost all custody cases are scheduled for a mediation, then, if no agreement is reached, a conciliation before a hearing officer. The goal at both the mediation and the conciliation is to clarify issues, encourage agreement, and set temporary arrangements if possible. If full agreement is not reached at the conciliation, the officer may recommend an interim order. If the court feels the parties may be able to work together toward a settlement, the hearing officer may schedule a review conciliation.
Expect the first conference to be relatively short, often 30 to 60 minutes, focused on practical scheduling, safety concerns, and immediate needs. You will speak in turn, and the hearing officer will guide the discussion. If your matter requires a prompt safety ruling, raise that early. If the case remains contested, the court will move it forward to a hearing before a judge.
Procedures can change. Check the Allegheny County Family Division website before your date for current instructions, such as check-in procedures, remote appearance options, and form requirements.
What to bring to your first custody conference
Bring organized, concise information that helps the officer or judge understand your child’s routine and needs:
- A proposed parenting schedule that covers school days, weekends, holidays, and transportation
- Your child’s school and activity calendars, and any special education plans
- Health information, including providers, medications, and recent records if medical needs are at issue
- A parenting communication log showing pick-ups, drop-offs, and notable events
- Any current orders (Protection From Abuse orders, prior custody agreements, and the like)
Keep it simple. Avoid lengthy binders at the first conference. A clear one to two page overview and copies of key documents often work best.
How custody is determined in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania courts decide custody based on the child’s best interests, weighing factors set out in the custody statute, including:
- Which party is more likely to ensure the safety of the child.
- Present and past abuse committed by a party or a member of the party’s household, which may include current or prior protection from abuse or sexual violence protection orders where there has been a finding of abuse.
- A party’s willingness and ability to prioritize the child’s needs by providing appropriate care, stability, and continuity, considering past parental duties and whether the party is willing and able to perform them in the future, and to meet the child’s daily physical, emotional, developmental, educational, and special needs.
- The need for stability and continuity in the child’s education, family life, and community life, except where changes are needed to protect the safety of the child or a party.
- The child’s sibling and other familial relationships.
- The well-reasoned preference of the child, based on the child’s developmental stage, maturity, and judgment.
- The proximity of the parties’ residences.
- Each party’s employment schedule and availability to care for the child, or ability to make appropriate child-care arrangements.
- The history of drug or alcohol abuse of a party or a member of a party’s household.
- The mental and physical condition of a party or a member of a party’s household.
- Any other relevant factor.
In Allegheny County, hearing officers and judges apply the same statewide factors. Be ready to connect your proposal to them. For example, show how your weekday plan supports homework time, medical appointments, and on-time school attendance.
Courtroom do’s and don’ts
Do:
- Be on time, dress neatly, and speak clearly
- Answer questions directly, focusing on your child
- Bring a workable schedule, not just objections
- Acknowledge what the other parent does well, if true, and propose solutions for sticking points
Do not:
- Interrupt the officer, judge, or the other parent
- Make personal attacks, exaggerate, or speculate
- Post about your case on social media
- Coach your child or bring your child to court unless specifically told to do so
What not to say to a family court judge: avoid accusatory absolutes like “they never do anything for our child.” Use facts instead: “On school nights, I handle pick-up and homework three days a week, and I propose continuing that routine for consistency.”
Can you file without a lawyer, and can a lawyer draw up an agreement?
Do you need a lawyer to file for custody in Pennsylvania? No, you can file pro se. The court provides forms, and the filing office can offer procedural guidance. Even so, a brief consultation helps make sure your filings are complete.
Can a lawyer draw up a custody agreement? Yes. Lawyers routinely draft parenting plans and custody stipulations, file them with the court, and convert them into enforceable orders. That can save time and reduce later disputes.
How do you resolve custody issues? Start with negotiation or mediation, present a child-focused schedule, document agreements clearly, and use the court process when a ruling is needed.
Our approach at Raver Rawlings Law Group
We serve families across Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania with steady, plain-language guidance. Our team has years of family law experience in Allegheny County and focuses on practical solutions that fit your child’s needs. What you can expect from us:
- Clear preparation meetings that map your goals
- Thoughtful draft schedules and parenting-plan language tailored to school, work, and real life
- Proactive communication so you arrive confident and organized
- Strategic use of negotiation, with litigation when necessary to protect safety and stability
Your next step
If your first custody hearing is approaching in Allegheny County, we are ready to help you prepare with calm, practical steps. Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation and talk through your goals and next steps.