Blog

8/18/15

Child support reminder: public shaming or convenient option?

When it comes to a One parent in particular has voiced his dislike of the post card that comes in the mail to his house. The post card has the parent’s name on it and asks the question as to whether or not that parent has paid for the month. The parent says this method is an invasion of privacy and essentially calls out non-custodial parents publicly. The state believes the post cards are...

8/12/15

Adoption situations in Pennsylvania can vary greatly

Adoption cases can be emotional and complicated for parents, potential parents and children involved. No two adoption situations are alike just as no two Pennsylvania families are alike. Whether it is a simple or complicated adoption, there are legal procedures in place and knowledge of the law that needs to be brought to the table because each case can be vastly different and the adoption process in each Pennsylvania county can be different. Most parties...

8/5/15

Immediate financial steps to take during a divorce

A One important step to take is to divide accounts and assets. One party’s credit score can take a hit if assets or accounts are in both names and the other party does not pay on time or at all. Mortgages and car loans should be settled. Refinancing can be the key to protecting finances or selling the property if refinancing is not possible. For a couple, it is common to have a spouse...

7/29/15

Pennsylvania families may find apps helpful in divorce

Communication can be a problem for co-parents during and after a As virtually everyone carries a smart phone, apps are increasingly popular and helpful in many areas of life. Divorce and co-parenting is no different as apps have evolved to help parents be better co-parents and resolve conflict. One app is available as a means of tracking child support payments and other extra payments. When a parent needs to go to court or prove...

7/22/15

Drastic reduction in child support sought by Halle Berry

Halle Berry has made news recently for more than just her movie and television career. The star has gone to court to seek a drastic reduction in the amount of In the case of Halle Berry and her ex-boyfriend, the pair had a child together in 2008. They split in 2010. In a court proceeding last year, Berry agreed to pay for school tuition and half the health care costs for the child. She...

7/15/15

Financial concerns to consider during a divorce

A One tip is to sit down and outline the financial reality now and what the future may look like. This can be done by writing down and reviewing credit card statements and bank statements from the past year. This will help outline what each party can afford and what to expect in the future. Including future expenses, such as insurance costs and child expenses like braces, is also recommended. Alimony may be an...

7/8/15

In-kind child support method may help with accountability

For many parents who pay This form of support refers to a parent directly paying for items the child needs. This can include food, clothing and other expenses bought and paid for outright rather than a monthly payment of a certain amount. A recent study has shown this method to be particularly useful for low income parents who may have trouble coming up with a certain amount by a specific date each month. While...

6/30/15

Clearing up divorce process details for Pennsylvania couples

Divorce process will obviously be unique to each couple, yet certain aspects of a split may be more common than couples expect. One part of the First of all, it must be clear that all assets are known. Some assets may be overseas, unknown or simply being hid by one party. Identifying what assets need to be split is the first and vital step toward ensuring fairness. Also, the second step is to be...

6/23/15

Family home can complicate divorce matters in Pennsylvania

For many couples, the family home may be the most valuable asset. It may also be the asset that both parties are the most emotionally attached to at the time of a One plan couples may consider is to sell the home. Even though a divorce may be pending or have been finalized, both must agree on a list price and a plan of action if the house does not sell within a certain...

6/19/15

Preparation needed to protect finances after divorce

One of the biggest points of contention during a Pennsylvania It is first essential to consider how new expenses resulting from the divorce settlement, such as alimony or child support, will impact one’s household budget. Following a divorce, a person would be wise to refrain from engaging in unnecessary spending so that he or she can make sure enough money is available to cover new expenses that he or she might not have thought...