Blog

12/17/15

Takes smart steps to protect finances during a divorce

The Credit cards need immediate attention. Debts that one party accrues can easily be the responsibility of both parties if the divorce is still unfolding. All cards should be closed. Once this is done, both parties should open up new accounts on their own so as to start the process of building good credit for future financial matters. Another financial move aside from splitting what is in accounts relates to beneficiaries. Life insurance and...

12/15/15

Help to avoid common mistakes with kids during a divorce

The One common mistake that legal guidance can help parents avoid is having an unpredictable custody arrangement. While life circumstances may warrant changes to plans and schedules, not having a somewhat predictable plan can make divorce harder on the children and parents. One tip to make it easier for kids in particular is to have a calendar in a child’s room with an outline of when the child will be with each parent. Another...

12/11/15

Adoption of a stepchild can be smooth or challenging

The adoption process is one that brings a family together and creates a cohesive unit, both legally and emotionally for parents and children. When a step-parent wants to adopt the child of his or her spouse, there are several steps. Those steps will involve the biological parent and that alone can make the adoption process challenging in some cases in Pennsylvania. The adoption process can occur in a smooth and timely manner if that biological...

12/9/15

Holidays can complicate child custody in Pennsylvania

Holiday time and celebrations can be a way for families to bond and pass on valued traditions. For split families and parents who have opposing views, the holiday season can conjure up unforeseen One source of discord that can warrant outside assistance and skilled negotiation is objection to a specific observance. Religious differences may be common, but one parent may feel adamant about a child participating in certain ceremonies or events. A judge will...

12/2/15

Divorce advice for Pennsylvania clients

Anyone going through the Finances matter and property division can impact those finances. Assets can include many items people often forget to consider, such as frequent flyer miles or other intangible assets. These can be divided, as can debts. Since property division can impact future finances, it may be tempting for some to hide assets. This is illegal and can backfire once the process unfolds and the concealment of assets is discovered. It is...

11/25/15

The basics of the collaborative law process

These days, couples around the country and here in Pennsylvania are no longer bound by the traditional divorce model that pits the parties against each other in court, which can often only increase the acrimony between them. One of the alternatives that is gaining popularity with divorcing couples is the collaborative law process. This approach to divorce allows the parties to avoid a contentious, time-consuming and expensive court battle. In collaborative law, both spouses are...

11/24/15

Help for Pennsylvania parents who have child support debt

Any kind of debt can be debilitating. However, Some programs in place are now helping parents reduce the amount of debt instead of seeing it rise each month. One state will wipe out a percentage of back-due child support if a parent enrolls in parenting programs. More debt can be wiped out if a parent is employed and pays support consistently for a year. Another form of outreach to avoid endless child support debt...

11/19/15

Divorce decisions: duration and amount of alimony payments

Alimony is not set in stone, and there is no set amount ordered in every individual case. When someone in Pennsylvania is pursuing a The amount ordered for alimony payments will depend on the spouses’ incomes. Also, the ability of both spouses to earn their own livings will affect the amount of alimony ordered. If one spouse is disabled or unable to work, that person may receive more alimony when compared to someone who...

11/11/15

Unique circumstances impact child custody issues

Families are complex, and the challenges of one can be vastly different than the challenges of another. When Pennsylvania families need to decipher child custody issues, those unique nuances can play a role in how the process may be best tackled. Those unique circumstances can also impact the future of a child custody agreement and the potential for a modification at some point in the future. While some people may envision a courtroom scene and...

11/4/15

The importance of property division decisions during divorce

Sharing a mortgage with one’s spouse may be perfect when times are good. However, when When one spouse decides to stay in a home, the person who decides to keep the house likely needs to have the mortgage put in her or his name. This means he or she must qualify for the mortgage without his or her spouse’s income, which can be difficult when a home was purchased based on two incomes. In addition to...