February 13, 2024

Navigating the Divorce Maze: 5 Tips to Choosing YOUR Divorce Lawyer

Choosing the right divorce lawyer is a decision that can significantly impact the outcome of your divorce proceedings, and even your mental health. At a time when emotions are often (and understandably) running high, you’re also thrust into the complexities of a legal process.   You need a guide, an ally, a true partner – someone […]

February 10, 2020

Changes In Alimony Tax Law

Starting in the 2019 tax year there are changes in alimony tax law. Alimony payments are no longer tax deductible. They are also no longer reported as income by the recipient. The reason this is now like this is because the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was signed into law in 2017 eliminated the […]

March 4, 2014

When, Why, and How Cohabitation is a Bar to Alimony

Payee cohabitation affects alimony There are many misconceptions about alimony, when it is awarded and when a party is no longer entitled to alimony. Some consider it to be merely a reward for one, and punishment for the other; however, it is intended to serve a critical function when the conditions are proper. Because cohabitation […]

March 3, 2014

Getting the most out of a divorce settlement

How a QDRO can provide peace of mind One of the most frustrating aspects of finalizing a divorce can be ensuring that the other party follows through on the terms of a  divorce settlement. Regardless of the amount, a spouse may be reliant upon the retirement funds for current or future financial needs. Often, women […]

February 16, 2014

Defense of Spousal Support, Overview and Facts

Defense of Spousal Support, Overview and Fact Sheet When a party files for support, the whole tone of a divorce can change dramatically. Money, which may have been the cause of divorce, certainly raises the stakes during a divorce action and can lead to troubled negotiations or discussion. Pennsylvania laws exist to prohibit an undeserving […]

January 4, 2014

Spouse Stopped Paying Support

What to do when your spouse leaves you paying all the expenses This is an all too common occurrence and frequent question in cases of separation and divorce. Husband or wife leaves the home, sometimes without much warning, and the other is left struggling to maintain the bills in his or her absence. Electric bills, […]

October 24, 2013

Late-life Divorce on the Rise

The emerging trend of “gray divorce” and what to consider According to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University, divorce rates for couples over 50 have doubled between 1990 and 2009. Late-life divorce, also known as “gray divorce”, is becoming more common and creating uncertainty about future implications. Financial […]

February 20, 2013

Risky Business | Bad Investments’ Affect on Property Division

Unfortunately, many divorces contain unsettling news when it comes to property division.  Poor decision making about finances can affect how the Courts divide a couple’s property in divorce proceedings.  However, one party losing marital funds during the marriage does not alone warrant an unequal property division. Under 23 Pa.C.S.A. ß 3502(a) of the Divorce Code, […]

New Philadelphia AVI | Appeal your tax assessment

The city’s new property tax assessments are going to save one neighbor a lot of money and increase another’s just as much, if not more.  The bottom line is that there is very little uniformity with this system.  This new system is known as the Actual Value Initiative and assessments are based on 100% of […]

February 19, 2013

Phila Tax Hikes | Conducting a Tax Assessment Appeal

  This is just one example of the tax hikes. The Philadelphia tax hikes are hitting everyone hard – some people have contacted our office with astounding new figures that they just can’t believe. With the mathematics and realistic values of these properties, we wonder where the owner will come up with the difference of […]

February 9, 2013

Know Your Social Security Benefits after Divorce

Are you not receiving Social Security benefits?  Are you are present divorced? Was your prior marriage lasted for at least 10 years? Are you 62 years old?     Do you remain unmarried? If your answers to the above questions are YES, this is the right time for you to review your Social Security benefits. You […]

CraftMaster Real Property Tax Assessment Appeal… Granted!

CraftMaster Real Property Tax Assessment appeal was granted. In 2012, Bradford County cut its tax assessment by 14.7 percent. CraftMaster Manufacturing, Inc. was earlier assessed with $3.90 million Real Property Tax, but was reduced to $3.33 million. The reduced Real Property Tax Assessment was the result of an out-of-court settlement between Bradford County and CraftMaster.  (2012) […]

February 2, 2013

Adultery, Ground for Fault based Divorce in Pennsylvania

Like all other US states, Pennsylvania admits of different grounds for Divorce, the No Fault Divorce and Fault based Divorce. Adultery is one of the grounds for Fault-based divorce. How to prove Adultery Adultery must be proven before the Court. However, there are certain qualifying acts that may prevent the case of adultery to prosper. […]

December 28, 2012

Can an extramarital affair post-separation affect support?

Extramarital Affair and Spousal Support Many times, couples separate and start new relationships during the pendency of the divorce – which some might consider an extramarital affair. In a recent case decided by Pennsylvania Court, husband appealed from the trial court order that dismissed his exceptions and granted the wife spousal support. A long-recognized exception […]

November 17, 2012

The Origins of Divorce

In history, divorce can be traced more than 2 centuries ago. Archaeologists discovered that Divorce has been part of the codified laws in the Code of Hammurabi dating back in 1760 BC. The Code of Hammurabi The Babylonia King Hammurabi was believed to have ruled from 1750 BC to 1792. The Code was one of […]

Divorce Attorney Michael Kuldiner is Now a (CDFS) Certified Divorce Financial Specialist!

Michael Kuldiner  is a Divorce and Family Law attorney and has been instrumental in many successful divorce proceedings, and makes the process less complicated, manageable and less stressful for his clients. He also concentrates his practice on child custody and support, child neglect, domestic violence, alimony and spousal support. When family law matters require court […]

Grandparent Rights and Updates in Pennsylvania

Grandparent Rights under Pennsylvania Custody and Grandparents’ Visitation Act   Pennsylvania has more defined rules for the care of children. It has placed the Grandparent Rights into another platform by the passage of a new law which took effect on January 22, 1011. The new law makes changes to the current child custody law, The […]

October 24, 2012

The issue on child custody gains a twist with the passage of PA Child Custody Act 112 of 2010

The new Child Custody Law (Act 112 of 2010) After more than a year from its implementation, the new PA’s child custody law remains controversial. The new Child Custody Law (Act 112 of 2010) which took effect on January 23, 2011 has put aside the child custody presumptions of the old custody laws which have […]

October is Domestic Violence awareness month

VAWA celebrates October! In 2011, it was reported that there were about 91,000 cases of domestic violence in Pennsylvania which resulted to about 166 deaths.  It is a fact that women are vulnerable and needs protection; hence, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) came into existence. VAWA was signed into law 18 years ago. The office […]