Blog

2/1/16

Why You Should Choose Collaborative Law For Your Divorce

The traditional legal system is designed to be adversarial – there are two sides fighting against each other, trying to “win.” While this system may work for many legal issues, it is often not effective when used for family law disputes such as divorce or child custody. Rather than there being a clear “winner” and “loser” both sides often walk away feeling as if they lost. Collaborative law offers an alternative. Instead of trying to...

1/27/16

Woman claims husband secretly obtained divorce

There are many couples in Pennsylvania and across the country who come to the conclusion that they are no longer compatible. For a variety of reasons, the decision to end the marriage is often in the best interest of everyone involved, including children of the relationship. However, one woman claims she discovered that her husband of 20 years secretly filed for The woman claims that she became suspicious after she discovered a tax bill...

1/25/16

Should a parent getting a divorce consider setting up a trust?

For couples facing a divorce, it’s clear that estate-planning documents with bequests to a soon-to-be former spouse will need to be updated. However, the interplay between family and estate law is much deeper. For couples with children, the existing estate documents may have left all property, including life insurance designations, to the other parent. The assumption may have been that the other parent would provide for the children. After a divorce, however, a parent may...

1/25/16

Choosing Your Family Law Attorney

The attorney you hire to represent you in your divorce will have a major impact on the outcome of your case – choose wisely. What Matters Most When Choosing A Lawyer Local Knowledge In Pennsylvania, the court systems vary from county to county. Each court has different filing requirements, timelines and general way of handling things. For example, some counties will require you to attend mediation or parenting classes before your divorce or custody case...

1/8/16

Divorce will impact the wallet and financial outlook

Divorce is more than a matter of the heart. It is a matter of the wallet. Regardless of income or social standing, a Understanding and knowing the specific cash flow that will be available is vital. The best thing to do is to figure out the amount of alimony that will be coming in and any earned income. Then, the taxes must be calculated and factored into that bottom line. Also, extra expenses such...

1/6/16

Child support issues require knowledge and experience

When a divorce is unfolding, issues related to any children involved can often take front and center. When it comes to children, the specific issue of child support can be a source of confusion, frustration and contention. Pennsylvania parents should be aware that legal assistance related to child support should encompass both knowledge and experience as child support needs can be complex and varied. Knowledge of the laws is necessary as there is a support...

1/1/16

There are alternatives to traditional divorce in Pennsylvania

A divorce may be the most difficult time in the lives of the people who go through it. Even when a divorce is wanted by both parties, the process can be time consuming and emotionally draining. While some divorces simply need to be handled through litigation, there are alternatives that many other people in Pennsylvania may find as a viable alternative to a traditional divorce. One option is mediation. This process is about reaching an agreement...

12/30/15

Possible challenges to a gray divorce in Pennsylvania

There is a rising trend in divorce in Pennsylvania and across the country, and that trend comes with unique challenges for one party compared to another. The trend is called gray divorce. This is when a couple splits after 30 or more years of marriage. While any divorce can involve complicated financial issues, a gray divorce is putting women who spent decades as a stay-at-home mom and wife at a severe disadvantage. For a woman...

12/25/15

Dispelling the divorce myth that one party will lose all

Many people debate whether or not to file for divorce for quite some time before taking action. One reason people may hesitate to file for divorce or feel a great deal of anxiety over a divorce is often related to scare tactics that one person may use against the other. These scare tactics involve myths regarding what one may be entitled to after the divorce. One person may say that he or she will walk away with...

12/23/15

Child custody arrangements may need revisiting by parents

When a couple separates, a great deal of time and effort may be needed to draft a child custody agreement. Once a child custody agreement has been reached, that agreement often works for all parties for some length of time. However, Pennsylvania parents should realize early on that life circumstances and changing needs may require changes to a child custody agreement at a later point in time. While the best interest of the child is central...