Blog

10/16/19

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...

8/23/19

Pennsylvania grandparents can seek child custody

If you ask enough questions about family law, you start to get the message very quickly. The answer is almost always that the best interest of a child involved will come first. And what about the rights of grandparents in Pennsylvania? You guessed it. First, it depends on what’s best for the child. The child’s best interest in the statutes Pennsylvania law provides courts with extensive guidance in a section of the statutes called “Factors...

8/7/19

Three tech tools that may help coordinate custody schedules

Juggling the schedules of each family member can be difficult under the best circumstances. However, after divorce, life can get a little more hectic when custody schedules and communication challenges may be added to the mix. Then, if your child custody schedule changes, it can be almost impossible to remember what is happening on any given day. However, there are apps for everything these days, including custody schedules. Many Google Calendar Sometimes a simple...

6/17/19

Who keeps the marital home after a divorce?

Whether you have lived in your home for a few years or several decades, you likely have an emotional attachment to it. You may have raised your kids there, made it your own, created hundreds of fond memories and more. In a divorce, determining the fate of your home can be complicated. Pennsylvania follows equitable distribution guidelines when Deciding whether to stay in the home First, consider the financial components of keeping the house,...

5/31/19

Divorce doesn’t have to be a long process

Many people dread divorce for many reasons, including a fear that the process will take a long time. While it’s true that more complicated divorces can take longer to complete, there are certain instances where Pennsylvania’s divorce code allows for an expedited process. There are two grounds for divorce in Pennsylvania that may lead to less time in the court room and a quicker finalization. If your situation fits either of these situations, you may...

4/3/19

Getting Your Family Back On Track After Bankruptcy

Written By Jennifer Pell There were 773,375 Utilize meditation When you file for bankruptcy, every asset you own comes under scrutiny and this can disgruntle the family set up. It, therefore, comes as little surprise that a Ramsey Solutions survey found that money problems are the second most common reason why couples divorce. Thankfully, attending mediation is an effective way for all parties to voice how they’re feeling in an impartial environment. In 2016,...

4/2/19

How to establish a good parenting plan for your kids

You got married, had children, and now you are facing a divorce. It is one of the most frightening experiences for parents, when faced with making legal decisions that impact the welfare of their growing child. You never want to be the source of their pain and sadness. However, you must go your separate way with the other parent. Parenting Consistency is reliability When you create a parenting plan, make sure it is do-able...

3/13/19

Want to make your divorce as stress-free as possible?

Deciding to split from a spouse is a big decision, but you have decided it is the right choice for you. Just because you have settled on divorce does not mean you want a bunch of drama. In fact, you would like to avoid as much fighting and stress as possible. A good option may be an alternative dispute resolution like a collaborative law divorce. Here is what you need to know about the process...

3/5/19

Innocent Spouse Relief: What You Need to Know & How to File

Written by: Only around 5% of married Americans choose to file their taxes separately. Typically, the benefits of joint filing outweigh the risks. However, filing jointly with your spouse means that you are both liable for each other’s tax responsibilities. The IRS refers to this as joint and several liability. This marriage of liability means that even if your spouse was the only one with a job and you file jointly, you are individually...