Pennsylvania readers may recall that, last December, we wrote about the ongoing divorce battle between former NFL great Deion Sanders and his now former wife, Pilar (“Deion Sanders divorce: Pilar fights for child support, annulment,” Dec. 12). The court battle between the two has continued for months and recently resulted in a trial over child custody issues. Both Deion and Pilar sought sole custody of their three children, and the issues were recently tried before a jury of 12 men and women.
With 11 of the 12 jurors in accord, Deion was awarded both physical and complete custody of the two older children, 11 and 13-year-old boys. Deion will decide where the boys will live, presumably with the Hall of Fame star. On the other hand, both Deion and Pilar were awarded joint custody of their 9-year-old daughter.
The specifics of living arrangements and visitation schedules were not addressed in a news report announcing the child custody decision. The Texas jury trial has now presumably resolved the custody issues, though it was not indicated whether Pilar plans an appeal. The former couple will now likely turn their attention to the remaining financial issues still pending from their divorce proceedings.
Child custody decisions can be among the most difficult to resolve, particularly when both parties have sharply different views on what is best for the children. That is as true in Pennsylvania as it is in any other jurisdiction in our country. Many parents are able to work together to negotiate a settlement that protects their individual interests while also doing the best by their children. In those instances where parties simply cannot come to an agreement, our courts will step in to consider the evidence and make a decision in the best interests of the children involved.
Source: tmz.com, “Deion Sanders — WINS Child Custody War with Estranged Wife Pilar Sanders,” March 12, 2013
