Pennsylvania Streamlines Child Custody Factors: What Pittsburgh Families Need to Know About Act 11 of 2025
Starting August 29, 2025, Pennsylvania courts will use a streamlined set of 12 custody factors instead of the previous 16, making the custody determination process more efficient while maintaining the same focus on child safety and best interests.
Major Changes Taking Effect August 29, 2025
On June 30, 2025, Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 378 into law as Act 11 of 2025, fundamentally restructuring how Pennsylvania courts evaluate child custody cases. This bipartisan legislation, which takes effect on August 29, 2025, represents the most significant update to Pennsylvania’s custody framework since the implementation of Kayden’s Law in 2024.
The key change: Pennsylvania’s custody evaluation process has been consolidated from 16 factors to 12 factors, streamlining what had become an increasingly complex and expensive process for families and courts alike.
Why This Change Matters for Pittsburgh Families
Reduced Complexity and Costs
The consolidation addresses longstanding concerns about the complexity, confusion, and expenses associated with the current 16-factor analysis. Representative Liz Hanbidge, the bill’s prime sponsor, emphasized that the streamlined approach will create “judicial efficiency” and produce a simplified framework that “families and courts alike will appreciate.”
Faster Court Proceedings
By reducing the number of factors from 16 to 12, custody proceedings should move more efficiently through the system, potentially reducing:
- Court costs
- Attorney fees
- Time to resolution
- Stress on families
Maintained Safety Focus
Importantly, child safety remains the top priority. The consolidated factors preserve all the safety-focused protections established by Kayden’s Law (Act 8 of 2024), including enhanced scrutiny of abuse allegations and domestic violence history.
Understanding the Legislative Process
Act 11 of 2025 received overwhelming bipartisan support throughout the legislative process:
House of Representatives: Passed 202-1 (May 6, 2025)
Senate: Passed 50-0 (June 26, 2025)
Governor’s Signature: June 30, 2025
Effective Date: August 29, 2025
This broad consensus reflects the legal community’s recognition that Pennsylvania’s custody evaluation process needed streamlining without compromising child welfare protections.
How the Consolidation Works
While the number of factors has been reduced from 16 to 12, the language and substance of the existing factors remains incorporated into the new framework. This means:
- No loss of protections for children or abuse victims
- Same best interests standard continues to apply
- All relevant considerations are still evaluated by courts
- More organized and efficient presentation of factors
The consolidation groups related concepts together rather than eliminating important considerations, creating a more logical and manageable framework for courts and attorneys.
Integration with Kayden’s Law
Act 11 of 2025 builds upon the important safety protections established by Kayden’s Law (Act 8 of 2024). The new consolidated factors specifically include revisions to factors created by Kayden’s Law regarding present and past abuse by parties or household members.
This integration ensures that:
- Enhanced abuse screening remains in place
- Safety-focused provisions are preserved
- Protective measures for children and victims continue
- Court oversight of abuse allegations is maintained
What This Means for Your Custody Case
If You Have a Pending Case
Cases filed before August 29, 2025, will likely continue under the current 16-factor system, though courts may begin applying the streamlined approach to new hearings after the effective date.
If You’re Planning to File
Cases filed on or after August 29, 2025, will be evaluated under the new 12-factor framework, potentially resulting in:
- More focused court hearings
- Clearer presentation of evidence
- Reduced litigation costs
- Faster resolution times
If You Need to Modify Existing Orders
Modification requests filed after August 29, 2025, will be evaluated under the new consolidated factors, though the fundamental best interests analysis remains the same.
Preparing for the Changes
For Parents
- Document your parenting strengths across all relevant areas
- Address any safety concerns proactively
- Maintain focus on your child’s best interests in all decisions
- Consider mediation or collaborative law to avoid lengthy court proceedings
The Broader Impact on Pennsylvania Family Law
This legislative change reflects a broader trend toward efficiency and accessibility in family court proceedings. By reducing procedural complexity while maintaining substantive protections, Pennsylvania positions itself as a leader in family law reform.
The overwhelming bipartisan support demonstrates that this wasn’t about changing outcomes but about improving the process for families navigating one of the most challenging experiences they may face.
Looking Forward
Act 11 of 2025 represents a positive step toward making Pennsylvania’s family court system more accessible and efficient. While the fundamental principle remains unchanged—the best interests of the child—the path to reaching custody decisions should become clearer and less burdensome for all involved.
For Pittsburgh families facing custody issues, this change offers hope for a more streamlined, cost-effective process that still prioritizes child safety and welfare above all other considerations.
Need Legal Guidance?
If you’re facing a custody matter in Pittsburgh or throughout Pennsylvania, our experienced family law team can help you navigate both the current system and the upcoming changes under Act 11 of 2025. We stay current with all developments in Pennsylvania family law to provide you with the most effective representation possible.
Contact us today to discuss your custody matter and learn how the new streamlined factors may impact your case. (412) 303-9566
This blog post provides general information about Pennsylvania law and should not be considered legal advice. Every custody case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Always consult with a qualified Pennsylvania family law attorney about your individual situation.
Keywords: Pennsylvania custody factors, Act 11 of 2025, Pittsburgh family law, child custody changes, Kayden’s Law, House Bill 378, Pennsylvania family court
