Blog

4/28/20

A high-conflict divorce may be a mistake

High-conflict divorces often are a result of bad communication. It, therefore, makes it difficult to communicate effectively. When you cannot communicate in a divorce, it makes it impossible to reach agreements outside of the court. It causes stress for everyone, including your children. In the end, it usually means the court makes all the decisions in your case. For the good of everyone, it is ideal if you can avoid a high-conflict divorce situation. If...

4/7/20

How to protect your 401(k) during a divorce

Your wedding vows stated you would stay with your partner “for richer, for poorer.” Now you find yourselves in the middle of a divorce and fighting over every penny. You were not thinking of divorce while falling in love, so it is likely you did not take steps to protect your 401(k). Your retirement account is one of your most valuable assets. How your 401(k) is vulnerable At least part of your 401(k) is...

3/20/20

3 important advantages of divorce mediation

Marriages come to an end for all kinds of reasons. While many divorces you may see on TV or in the movies may involve long, drawn-out court battles, this does not necessarily have to be your reality. On the contrary, if you and your ex still have at least some degree of respect for one another, you may be able to save yourselves time, money and stress by opting for divorce mediation, rather than a...

2/27/20

Work up a parenting plan draft in preparation for mediation

Among the benefits of mediation is that it is less stressful than traditional divorce and establishes a path on which you and your family can move forward. Part of the mediation process will focus on your parenting plan. Putting your thoughts down on paper ahead of time will keep you from forgetting anything when you present your ideas. A plan for the future Expect the parenting plan to be A few things to avoid...

2/19/20

Should I Refinance? Best Mortgage Refinance of 2020

Guest Post Provided By: If you’re a homeowner looking for ways to lower your monthly expenses, one of the alternatives you may be considering is refinancing your home. Interest rates are low, and reducing your rate on a large loan like a mortgage can result in significant savings. Refinancing your mortgage simply means you’re replacing your current mortgage loan with a new one. Although lowering interest rates to improve cash flow is one of...

1/14/20

Benefits of mediation for child custody disputes

While divorce is never easy, it can become even more complicated when there are children involved. Obviously, you want a custody arrangement that adequately meets your child’s needs, but you must also bear in mind your own interests and those of your ex-spouse. It can be a difficult balancing act that can result in disputes and conflict, which are not healthy for anyone, particularly your children. Unlike some states, Pennsylvania does not require you and...

1/8/20

Collaborative law for conflict resolution

If you are in the process of a divorce, collaborative law is a useful option for conflict resolution to avoid a fight in court. It is an alternative option to litigation that works toward negotiating an amicable agreement between both parties. The parties need to act in good faith for the success of this type of case. This process may be useful for preserving relationships after the divorce as one of the main goals is...

11/21/19

Opting for a collaborative divorce to customize child custody

Couples ready to call it quits on their marriage may now do so without the conflict and drama of a Pennsylvania courtroom battle. Keystone State lawmakers passed House Bill 1644 in 2018 to help facilitate the process for dissolving a marriage quickly. When spouses realize that they no longer serve each other’s needs and can make custody and support arrangements on their own, they may find the collaborative process beneficial. The biggest challenge for many...

10/16/19

How to cut costs during divorce

While divorcing your significant other will always come at a cost, you actually have far more control over how much your split ultimately costs you than you may think. Contrary to popular belief, not every divorce has to involve a lengthy and contentious court battle. Instead, many divorcing parties are increasingly finding that they can go their separate ways and work through their affairs without going broke in the process, and there are a number...

10/10/19

How does stepparent adoption work in Pennsylvania?

When your child’s other parent does not share custody or parenting time and you have remarried, you and your new spouse may wish to pursue a stepparent adoption. With this arrangement, the noncustodial parent must agree to legally terminate his or her rights and your spouse would become your child’s legal parent. Read on to learn more about the process of Pennsylvania stepparent adoption. Seeking permission from the other parent Often, the child’s other parent...