Family matters can be deeply personal, emotionally charged, and legally complex. While some issues can be resolved privately or with the help of mediators, there are times when involving a lawyer is not only beneficial—it’s essential. Understanding when to seek legal counsel can protect your rights, your children, and your long-term financial and emotional well-being. […]
Everything You Need to Know About Modifying Child Support Agreements
Child support agreements ensure children receive the financial support they need from both parents. However, life circumstances change, and what worked initially may no longer be practical. If you need to modify your child support agreement, here’s what you need to know. When Can Child Support Be Modified? A child support agreement can usually be […]
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 […]
Can a Parent Withhold Visitation for Unpaid Child Support?
Unpaid child support can be a significant problem. In the final analysis, unpaid child support threatens the wellbeing of children. Oftentimes, the custodial parent who is to receive child support payments on behalf of children needs to take action to enforce an existing court order. A common thought of a custodial parent is to withhold […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
A Common Regret After Divorce in Pennsylvania
How not hiring a lawyer can lead to regret Our office knows the extent to which a divorce can exhaust a client, especially when they have sought counsel after being un-represented for much of the proceedings. We also know how satisfied clients feel for having solid guidance during a tough time. Handling divorce in […]
Mistakes to Avoid When Considering Divorce
5 Common mistakes and how to avoid them Never an easy decision, divorce creates a lot to think about. Thoughts of the family, the affect on the kids, and money can overwhelming . Fortunately, if you are considering a divorce, there are people and resources out there to help make sense of the transition and […]
Child Support Deviation based upon Custody | Bucks County
PA Guidelines Allow Child Support Deviation Based on Custody The calculation helps determine child support or support deviation for Bucks County and all Pennsylvania support cases. The amount child support deviation may increase or decrease depending on the amount of parenting time spent with the child(ren). It may not necessarily rely on overnights either – […]
Waiving Child Support in Pennsylvania
In developing a Marital Settlement Agreement, parties may sling numbers and financial data as a means to an end. After months of analyzing incomes, debts, and appraisals, a couple may find a financial middle ground on how to settle their divorce. Often, individuals consider bargaining payments of child support. Unfortunately, utilizing this exchange of money […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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) […]
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. […]
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 […]
Recent PA Child Relocation Decision
Can you relocate with your child? In a recent case, the Mother’s petition to relocate was denied. The mother appealed from the trial court order that denied her petition for relocation and a related request to modify the terms of custody for the parties’ six-year-old son. The recently enacted new Child Custody Act became effective […]