Blog

4/16/14

Debt obligations during divorce can get complicated

When there is a Typically, financial obligations related to education before the marriage is considered separate property. This may surprise some couples as they split and realize the true cost of paying off student loan debt may be more than the borrower can handle on their own. In that case, it may be possible or wise to seek some sort of changes to payment terms. If student loan debt is acquired during the marriage,...

4/7/14

Tips for Pennsylvania parents in the midst of divorce

The time period before, during and directly after a There are many tips regarding the best way to minimize the impact of divorce on children. One vital tip is for parents to understand that kids feel many emotions about the situation just as adults do. If a parent stresses that there is no wrong way to feel or wrong time to feel it, children may feel better about the onslaught of emotions. Help from...

4/1/14

Pennsylvania couples can have tech-savvy divorce

Technology seems to have infiltrated every aspect of life over the last few years. With the onset of online sites and smart phone apps aimed at helping couples find each other, it isn’t hard to imagine that there are now apps in place to help guide couples through a Apps on smart phones can be a useful tool for couples who need to find a way to discuss the divorce and life changes that...

3/25/14

High profile child custody case involves medical records

When a couple decides to separate, they typically have many decisions to make. The most difficult and often contentious part of a divorce may relate to One recent case highlights the role medical records may play in a child custody hearing. A high-profile couple split in 2011. A court recently ruled that the father is to get custody of the two children. They had previously been with the mother until certain medical issues concerning...

3/18/14

Pennsylvania parents need to be aware of taxes and divorce rules

When there is a When a couple separates and files taxes, only one party can claim dependent children on their tax return. Back in the days when custody agreements were pretty cut and dry, particularly when one parent would have the kids a large majority of the time, it was simpler to decide who should claim the children on a tax return. However, modern custody agreements are more fluid, and children spend time with...

3/12/14

Organization can be key to smooth divorce in Pennsylvania

The decision to split may be an emotional one for couples. However, after the emotional decisions are handled, there are very detailed financial decisions that need to be made. Any Pennsylvania couple in the midst of It is a good idea to make a list of assets. This goes beyond the amount of money in a bank account. Assets may include retirement accounts and money market accounts. Items such as collectibles and employee benefits...

3/7/14

New insurance options for Pennsylvania couples in divorce

Traditionally, when one spouse was the only source of healthcare benefits, it could be difficult for the other spouse to move forward with plans to In the past, if a spouse wanted to keep healthcare benefits, they could do so for a limited time through COBRA. Once COBRA ran out, they were typically left without health insurance unless they got insurance through an employer or remarried. Now, even if they choose to rely on...

2/25/14

More Pennsylvania baby boomers taking steps toward divorce

As people age and make it past certain milestones, they may be seen as a much stronger and dedicated couple than their younger counterparts. However, as the baby boomer generation ages, there is a noticeable uptick in how many couples who have been married for decades that are now headed for It is currently estimated that one out of four people divorcing today are 50 or older. In 1990, that figure was only one...

2/21/14

Families set tone for changes in child custody

Family courts have the difficult job of deciding what is in the best interests of children while also respecting the rights of parents. Whenever families can come to agreements on their own, the courts will respect that approach. Typically, in families where both parents are able and wanting to be a parent, joint The popular option of joint custody boils down to one parent having primary custody and the other parent having the child...

2/12/14

Options can make Pennsylvania divorce process smoother

This time of year is notorious for seeing a spike in It may be helpful for each couple to understand that no two divorces are the same and that there are options that can essentially help couples customize their divorce. There are a great deal of decisions to be made and there is no set formula for how it unfolds for each couple. The transition from a single household to two households does take...