Blog

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...

6/9/15

Difficult parent relationship leads to child custody case

When parents split and find it difficult to find common ground, family court intervention may be the only way to resolve disputes and ensure the best interests of the children are upheld. While it may be best for the parents to resolves issues outside of a court room, some parents cannot, and there may be underlying issues or allegations that make One father is in the midst of seeking sole decision-making responsibility for his minor...

6/2/15

Divorce can impact social security benefits

The If an ex-spouse is 62 years of age or older and the marriage lasted 10 years or more, that person may be eligible for benefits that stem from the earnings of the other spouse. However, there are certain provisions to this rule. If a former spouse’s benefits are less than the other person’s benefits, he or she cannot be eligible for those benefits. Also, an ex-spouse cannot collect his or her own benefits plus...

5/26/15

Ruling in international child custody case makes headlines

The family court system works diligently to make decisions based on the best interests of the children involved; however, the rights of parents to visit or have access to children must also be respected. When Pennsylvania families need to seek family court assistance for an international The actress mom and her ex-husband married in 2006, and they then separated in 2008. A divorce was finalized in 2010. During that time, the couple had two children...

5/20/15

Child support payments sought decades after child is grown

Child support issues can be extremely contentious for some families. While the family courts in Pennsylvania hand down What makes this case noteworthy and unique is the fact the couple divorced in 1977. The hoopster, Meadowlark Lemon, is now 83 years old, and his son is 48. The basketball player and his wife were married for 22 years before their split. The son and his mother contend Meadowlark Lemon was ordered to pay $2500 a...

5/13/15

Terminating parental rights can be part of adoption process

Adoption is a very emotional and complicated area of family law. Each case can vary widely compared to the next. In many cases, the adoption process may entail the termination of parental rights. This aspect of an adoption is one area that can either be a simple matter of consent or can lead to litigation for a Pennsylvania family. One approach to termination of parental rights in order to proceed with an adoption is to...

5/6/15

Marital home issues can impact divorce process in Pennsylvania

Regardless of how amicable a If one party decides she or he wants to keep the house, that spouse may have to purchase the interest of the other. That buy-out amount may depend on an appraisal of the home. The spouse who stays in the home may have to agree to refinance any existing mortgage within a given time frame. Any agreement concerning these issues must be drafted with careful attention to detail, including...

4/30/15

Aspects of divorce to consider for older Pennsylvania couples

While the One aspect is spousal support. Temporary support is not uncommon among younger couples. However, alimony for life, known as permanent alimony, is often normal for couples who have been married for an extended period of time. Retirement funds are also an issue for older couples, as there may be much more at stake than with younger couples. Retirement funds are likely to be split in half, which can drastically alter the retirement dreams of...

4/21/15

We can help with smooth navigation of adoption process

Adoption is a highly personal and emotional journey for families under any circumstances. When the adoption process involves same sex couples or step-parent adoptions, the adoption process should be as smooth as possible for everyone involved. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania parents and soon-to-be parents may find the process anything but smooth, necessitating the help of legal representatives. When a step-parent or same sex partner wants to adopt his or her spouse’s child, the biological parent of that...