Blog

4/21/16

Charlie Sheen involved in child support disagreement

There are many parents in Pennsylvania who struggle to ensure that their children’s needs are met. This may also be the case even for those who are perceived to be wealthy. For example, actor Charlie Sheen is now embroiled in child support disputes with two women as he seeks to have the amount he pays each month reduced. One case involves Brooke Mueller, the mother of his twin boys, now 7. Mueller claims that Sheen...

4/14/16

Woman seeks child custody of her son following illness

While some in Pennsylvania have complication-free pregnancies, others do not and, ultimately, find themselves in the hospital. Being ill during pregnancy can make caring for another child complicated; many families are able to cope by relying on family members and friends. Unfortunately, one out-of-state woman hospitalized due to pregnancy complications claims that a woman she considered a friend — and former employee of the Department of Children’s Services — took advantage of their relationship by...

4/12/16

It is important to talk to an attorney before filing for divorce

If you’ve made a decision to divorce, you are probably anxious to move out of your home, get the legal paperwork filed and start the next chapter of your life. However, getting help from an experienced family law attorney before moving – and before actually filing anything – is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself. A divorce attorney will help you make a plan to navigate the days and...

4/7/16

State says man must pay child support for child who is not his

Parents have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that their children receive the financial and emotional care they require. Most parents in Pennsylvania are more than willing to meet these obligations to the children. However, one out-of-state man claims he was recently notified that he will be required to pay child support with whom he shares no biological connection. The man says that he received a letter from the state informing him that he...

3/31/16

Family law mediation: Making divorce more peaceful

Thanks to its portrayal in movies and on television, many people have the mistaken impression that divorce is always bitter and contentious. While it is true that some couples in Pennsylvania may struggle with negative emotions during the divorce process, many are able to come together in the spirit of communication and compromise to make necessary decisions. For these couples, there are more peaceful, less expensive paths to divorce, including Some statistics indicate that...

3/24/16

Family who wants adoption loses custody of foster child

During what could be times of severe stress for children in Pennsylvania, there are often foster homes willing to step in and provide stability and love. While in many cases, these homes are a temporary stop, others could turn into a more permanent arrangement through The family claims that the young girl had been in two previous foster homes before she came to live with them at the age of two. In 2012, there...

3/17/16

Judge issues interim child custody order in Bristol Palin case

Couples in Pennsylvania separate in different stages of their relationships for a variety of reasons. Those with or expecting children must make decisions regarding how they will parent their children together. Child custody issues for parents of infants can be slightly more complicated if the child is breastfeeding. However, an out-of-state judge recently ruled that the potential of disrupting Bristol Palin’s breastfeeding schedule cannot prevent the child’s father from having overnight visits. The child’s father,...

3/10/16

You should get legal help before moving out

After deciding to divorce, the last thing you want to do is continue living with your soon-to-be ex. However, that is exactly what you should do. Why should you stay in the marital home? Courts are unlikely to upset the status quo If you have children, moving out of the family home may reduce your parenting time. Moving out of the family home and leaving your children with the other parent – even if...

3/10/16

Co-parenting after a divorce

When a couple in Pennsylvania decides to marry, they typically do so with the thought that they will spend the rest of their lives together. However, the pressures of life, including professions and children, can place a significant strain on a relationship. For some, this strain creates obstacles in the relationship that cannot be overcome and can often lead the couple to a Following some divorces, emotions are understandably high. However, managing those emotions...

3/3/16

The impact of child support on federal taxes

At this time of year, many people are pulling together the necessary documents to file their federal and state taxes. For many this is a relatively straightforward process. However, those who receive or pay Perhaps most importantly for parents who receive such payments is the knowledge that they are not taxable. On the other hand, those who make payments cannot use them as a deduction. Only one parent can claim a child exemption. Typically,...