Blog: Family Law
- How do courts handle inheritance in a Pennsylvania divorce?
Jul 15, 2022
Property division is often a point of contention and confusion during a divorce. Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state, meaning that courts base asset distribution on equity rather than equality. Essentially, judges try to determine what is fair rather than automatically doing a 50-50 split. Property falls into one of two categories, separate and marital, with the former generally consisting of what each individual brought into the marriage and not being subject to division and...Read More - Unmarried parents and child custody
Jun 4, 2022
U.S. society is more tolerant of relationships outside of marriage than in the past. In the modern era, it is more and more common to see children born out of wedlock. In fact, according to Child Trends, in 2016 approximately 40% of births fell into this category. It makes sense then that there are many unmarried parents who wonder about how child custody works for them. Paternity status matters When married couples have a baby, there...Read More - 3 reasons you might change your child custody agreement
May 12, 2022
Your custody agreement outlines which parent is the primary caretaker of your child following a divorce. It also describes a visitation schedule and other parenting provisions. There is a possibility that circumstances can change for your child, your ex-spouse or yourself which necessitate a change to your custody agreement or a specific section of the document. While tensions may linger following your divorce case, it is worth talking to your ex-spouse to determine if modifying...Read More - What are some unique aspects of a gray divorce?
Mar 11, 2022
When two older people plan to end their marriage, the resulting divorce is commonly known as gray divorce. Going through a divorce later in life may seem intimidating at first, but knowing more about the unique differences between you and younger couples can help you make the best choices possible. Planning for retirement According to Psychology Today, one major life event that may come to mind is how you will handle retirement. Most couples plan...Read More - Can you move away if you share custody of your child?
Mar 10, 2022
Whether you want to move across the county or to another state, you must consider the impact on the child and the other guardians. A move that makes it difficult for the non-relocating parent to participate in their share of the parental responsibilities requires approval from all custodial parties and the courts. What is the first step when wanting to relocate? You must first inform all other guardians about the intended relocation. According to Pennsylvania...Read More - Looking at the penalties for failing to pay alimony
Nov 23, 2021
When it comes to the divorce process, you need to think about a number of financial topics. From child support to the division of marital property, divorce could impact your finances in various ways. Some people have to pay alimony after ending their marriage, and you should understand the importance of staying current on alimony payments. In fact, failing to pay alimony in the state of Pennsylvania can lead to serious repercussions. What are the...Read More - Are divorce records public?
Nov 22, 2021
Divorce can expose personal information to public view, but the court may agree to seal parts of the record. Divorce records appear in three forms, which are public to varying degrees. Divorce certificate, decree, and court record The vital records offices of Pennsylvania and other U.S. states issue a divorce certificate, which shows only basic information such as the names of the parties and where, when, and in which court the divorce occurred. In most...Read More - Understanding the difference between physical and legal custody
Aug 17, 2021
When you and your child’s other parent divorce, or if the two of you were not in a marriage, but want to share parenting responsibilities, you may need Pennsylvania’s court system to come up with a custody arrangement. The state recognizes several different types of custody. There are also different rights and responsibilities associated with each. The two main types of child custody that Pennsylvania recognizes include physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody in...Read More - How to protect your finances during divorce
May 19, 2021
Divorce can incite big changes in your life. One of the ways divorce can impact your way of living is on a financial level, especially if your spouse supported your family financially. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, 746,971 couples in the U.S. got a divorce or annulment, and many of these individuals had to figure out to move forward financially. You can start by taking certain steps to protect...Read More - The impact of high-conflict divorce on children
May 14, 2021
Divorce or separation is a difficult time for you and your children. Emotions may run high, but it is very important to keep your children out of the conflict. High-conflict divorces exact a devastating toll on the children involved. Many children develop harmful behaviors that can last a lifetime. Avoiding conflict Conflict is a natural part of life, but children in a high-conflict divorce learn to fear it. This fear can progress later in life...Read More