The Washington County Court at Law has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family-law matters.

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The steps in a Washington County, PA custody/visitation case involve filing a complaint with the Prothonotary's Office, serving the other parent, and then attending court-ordered meetings or hearings. Key stages often include discovery, mediation, and potentially a trial to reach a final order, with the specific process varying depending on whether the case is uncontested or requires a court decision. 

Initial steps

• File a custody complaint: File the original custody complaint with the Prothonotary's Office and pay the filing fee, or file a petition to have the fee waived if you meet the poverty guidelines.

• Serve the other parent: You are responsible for ensuring the other parent is "served" with a time-stamped copy of the complaint. This is a formal notification of the legal action.

• File an Affidavit of Service: After the other parent has been served, file an Affidavit of Service with the Prothonotary's Office to prove service was completed. 

Ongoing process and hearings 

• Attend a custody meeting: The court will schedule a custody meeting, which is a mandatory step where you present your case and try to reach an agreement.

• Discovery: If you don't agree, the case may move to a "discovery" phase where both parties exchange information and evidence to prepare for trial.

• Mediation: In many cases, the court will require or recommend mediation. A neutral third party will help you and the other parent try to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

• Hearings and trial: If you cannot reach an agreement, the case may proceed to hearings and eventually a trial where a judge will review the evidence and make a final decision in the form of a permanent order. 

Important considerations

• Final order: Once a decision is made, the judge will sign a final, permanent order that outlines custody and visitation terms.

• Parenting class: You may be required to complete a court-approved parenting class.

• Legal representation: It is highly recommended to have legal representation, especially for complex or contested cases. 

Yes, child support payments can be modified after the decree in Washington County, but only through a formal court process by filing a petition for modification. A modification is possible if there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, or if it has been three years since the order was established or last modified and the monthly amount would differ by 20% or $100 under current guidelines. 

Grounds for modification

• Substantial change in circumstances: This is the most common reason for modification and can include a parent losing their job, a significant change in income, increased expenses, or a severe illness.

• Three-year rule: If three years have passed since the order was last modified, a parent can request a modification if the new amount would be at least 20% or $100 different from the current order.

• Changes in needs: A change in the child's needs, such as increased medical or dental expenses, can also be a basis for modification. 

How to modify child support

1. File a petition: You must file a petition with the court that issued the original order to begin the modification process.

2. Serve the other parent: The other parent must be formally served with the summons, petition, and worksheets.

3. Gather documents: You will need to provide documents that support your claim for modification, such as proof of income changes.

4. Go to court: A judge must review and approve any changes to the child support order, even if both parents agree.

5. Consider an agency review: In some cases, you can ask the Department of Child Support Services (DCS) to review your case for modification.

6. Wait for the order: Changes to child support are not retroactive, so the new amount will only take effect after the judge has entered a new order. 

Washington County offers several legal and mediation resources, including the Texas Law Help Washington County Rural Legal Aid Clinic for virtual assistance with civil matters on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Other resources for residents of Texas' Washington County include mediation services, such as those offered by the Central Brazos Valley DRC for various disputes. In contrast, Washington County, Minnesota, has the Washington County Library which provides legal clinics and the Minnesota Disability Law Center for legal assistance to individuals with disabilities. 

Washington County, Texas

• Washington County Rural Legal Aid Clinic: A free, virtual clinic held on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 12–2 PM, providing one-on-one meetings with a lawyer for advice on common civil issues like family law, debt collection, and housing. You must register in advance.

• Central Brazos Valley DRC: Offers mediation for a variety of disputes, including commercial, domestic, and landlord/tenant issues.

• Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (TRLA): Hosts various free legal clinics and provides disaster recovery assistance for those impacted by floods.

• Mission Waco Legal Assistance Program: Holds a monthly clinic to assist low-income residents with legal issues like immigration, housing, and employment.