PA Custody Complaint: Start the Case
Pennsylvania's Complaint for Custody is the opening move in county Court of Common Pleas when you need the court to establish custody terms. It is not where you paste a year of text messages because someone missed Saturdays. If an order already exists, you are usually past this lane. If someone will not follow a clear order, you may be closer to enforcement documentation or a contempt petition than to a brand-new complaint story.
| Caption | Plain-English job |
|---|---|
| Complaint for custody | Establish initial custody / start the case file |
| Petition to modify | Change an existing order when facts moved |
| Civil contempt | Address patterned non-compliance with existing language |
County checklist (before you file)
Related guides
More Pennsylvania forms
General support (not Pennsylvania-specific)
Official sources
- PA Courts complaint for custody (PDF): https://www.pacourts.us/Storage/media/pdfs/20210224/170851-complaintforcustody-010126.pdf
- PA Courts custody proceedings (self-represented): https://www.pacourts.us/learn/representing-yourself/custody-proceedings
Complaint FAQs
Is the complaint the same as a petition to modify?
No. The complaint opens the custody case and asks the court to establish terms. A modify petition assumes an order already exists and asks for new terms after changed circumstances.
Why do people confuse complaint with contempt?
Because anger makes every problem feel urgent. Contempt is about clear order language someone will not follow. A complaint is about getting initial custody terms on paper.
What should I verify in my county first?
Filing channel, fee, cover sheets, service rules, and any county-specific custody packet. Common Pleas practice is county-shaped even when the PDF is statewide.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-03
MyCustodyCoach is not a law firm. Court rules, fees, and form versions change by county; confirm what applies to your case with official court resources or counsel you hire.