Blog

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...

10/27/15

Family pet may take center stage during a Pennsylvania divorce

When a couple splits, the dissolution of the marriage also means a splitting of marital property. While many pet owners do not regard the pet as property, according to the law in Pennsylvania and other states, animals are dealt with in the same manner as other assets, and important decisions regarding the fate of those animals must be made during a The courts will weigh options and consider the individual circumstances of each case...

10/20/15

Grandmother at center of child custody dispute ignores order

Decisions regarding visitation and custody of children can involve more than just the parents as seen by the rise of grandparents who either have custody or seek visitation with grandchildren. One recent The two children had been living with the grandmother when she was ordered to return them to the father. Instead, she took them to the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, where her daughter is a member. Because she is on the reservation, the grandmother...

10/15/15

Help may be needed to uncover fraud during divorce

Divorce is typically a time of emotional upheaval, but it can and often is a time of financial upheaval as well. The property division process during a An attorney might enlist services from forensic accountants to discover if fraud is an issue. This will allow for the tracing of funds and can outline a paper trail of what may have unfolded during the marriage. A thorough review of old tax returns, credit card activity...

10/6/15

High profile divorce leads to several being subpoenaed

Once a couple decides to split, the act of splitting assets, funds and child custody can be a more in-depth process than some may realize. Pennsylvania couples may find they need outside help from other professionals in various fields in order to move forward with the The husband is the billionaire founder of Citadel. His wife signed a prenuptial agreement in 2003, and the husband filed for divorce in 2014. The couple has yet...

9/29/15

Financial steps for Pennsylvania couples going through divorce

Regardless of the status or length of a marriage, there are serious financial changes that will occur. Those financial changes need to be addressed by both parties in a divorce in Pennsylvania. Once both parties address these immediate financial concerns and obligations, the First and foremost, important financial documents must be located and secured. This can mean tax returns, investment statements and any credit card company reports. Making copies and securing hard copies with...

9/24/15

Federal law pertaining to child support could land dad in jail

Violation of a The case currently making news involves a father who was behind more than $90,000 in child support payments. The 51-year-old man was making reduced payments for some time. Then, he stopped making payments all together in 2012. The man also moved from one state to another. While each state has its own penalties for back due support or failure to abide by a child support order, there is a federal law...

9/15/15

Equitable distribution of property can involve pets

Many families have a deep attachment to their pets. For some family members, the attachment and love for a family pet can be just as important as the love for a child. This can be evident in Pennsylvania courts as property division agreements can involve disputes concerning the fate of these pets. While still legally regarded as property, more and more courts are taking individual cases into consideration and implementing creative resolutions when One...

9/9/15

New law may help parents behind in child support

When a parent fails to pay court-ordered The new law relates to issuing a restricted driver’s license. The parent who is behind in payment can show he or she works 30 hours a week and works more than a mile from home. This and other eligibility requirements can lead to the issuance of a restricted license so that parent can still get to work and earn the money needed to get current on a...