March 10, 2024

What to do After you’re served with a (PFA) Protection from Abuse Order.

When served with a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order in Pennsylvania, it’s crucial to take it seriously and follow these steps: 1. **Review the Order**: Read the PFA order thoroughly to understand the details, restrictions, and requirements imposed by the court. 2. **Comply with the Order**: Abide by all conditions outlined in the PFA order, […]

March 1, 2024

5 MORE Tips to Choosing Your Divorce Lawyer

Continuing Our Series on Navigating the Divorce Maze ICYMI: We reviewed tips 1-5 here. We recommend reading those tips first. 6. Experience and Expertise  Divorce cases can vary widely in complexity, so it’s crucial to choose a divorce lawyer with relevant experience in handling cases like yours. Inquire about their track record and success rate […]

March 31, 2016

Myths About Gender and Pennsylvania Child Custody

There was a point historically when mothers were favored as the primary custodians of minor children in divorce proceedings. In other words, these was a presumption that mothers are more fit or qualified to be the primary caretakers of children than were fathers. The reality is that in all jurisdictions in the United States, decisions […]

December 24, 2015

Tips to Make Holiday Parenting Time Less Stressful

Parenting time is designed to ensure that a noncustodial parent and a minor child continue to have a healthy, meaningful relationship after a divorce. Managing parenting time is not without the potential for stress. This particularly can be the case with holiday parenting time — not just the end of year season, but holidays throughout […]

November 25, 2015

Enforcing Parenting Time

Enforcing parenting time order becomes an issue in some cases once divorce decree is granted. Although the facts and circumstances vary from one case to another. However, a common scenario involves a custodial parent failing to follow the court order pertaining to parenting time or visitation. No matter the underlying cause, when a parenting time […]

Change Child Custody

Child custody may need to be changed in some situations. A variety of different reasons exist for altering or amending a child custody order. Amending a child custody order necessitates satisfying certain requirements set forth in Pennsylvania family law. Change Child Custody: Material Change of Circumstances A child needs consistency in life. Consequently, the decision […]

What is Parenting Time?

Issues related to child custody represent some of the most emotionally contentious and legally complex aspect of divorce and paternity proceedings. As a consequence, a person facing this type of legal matter is best served by having a basic understanding of the essential elements of child custody issues that can arise in divorce proceedings. In […]

November 24, 2015

Physical and Legal Custody

Legal custody and physical custody are major issues in many Pennsylvania divorce cases. Understanding the elements of child custody law in the commonwealth is crucial. A key factor is the difference between physical and legal custody. Many people find themselves in divorce cases without realizing that there are actually two types of custody. Understanding these […]

Child Custody Factors

Child custody decisions in divorce cases in Pennsylvania focus on what is deemed to be in the best interests of a minor. In an effort to ensure better reasoned and more uniform decisions by judges in regard to child custody issues, a set of best interests factors are to be considered by a judge in […]

March 11, 2014

Contempt Charges in Child Custody Cases

Child custody is often the most emotionally challenging aspect of the separation and divorce process. Custody can become a dangerous and manipulative game – and the best interests of the children fade out of focus. Contempt charges in child custody cases may be filed against a parent in violation of a custody order; sanctions for […]

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 21, 2014

Help with Transportation for Shared Custody from Recent PA Case

  Divorced or separated parents know how difficult it can be to maintain a consistent routine for shared custody. Two households, one school, varying schedules including sports or after school activities – when parents are working, pick-ups and drops offs can be become stressful. For schools, keeping up safety measures of who is taking a […]

December 4, 2013

Abandonment: Terminating Parental Rights in PA

Pennsylvania requirements for who and how to terminate parental rights When it comes to protecting a child, there is no compromising. Unfortunately, those individuals who are able to cause the most harm to a child can be those who are closest to them. In Pennsylvania, terminating parental rights can be done voluntarily or involuntarily. For […]

September 5, 2013

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 – […]

September 4, 2013

Welcome Jahn S. Chesnov, Esquire: 27 Years of Family Law in Bucks County

We are excited and pleased that Jahn S. Chesnov, Esquire has joined our team to continue providing excellent service to the Bucks County community. Mr. Chesnov will provide insight and advice to support our large portfolio of family law cases. As a seasoned practitioner of Family Law in Bucks County, Mr. Chesnov provides 27 years’ experience […]

July 2, 2013

Choosing a divorce attorney | Tips & Caveats

What to consider before hiring representation for your divorce As with any other area of law, hiring a lawyer with experience is always important. For this area of law, choosing a divorce attorney that has a heavy volume of his or her practice specifically in family matters is crucial. An attorney who primarily practices family […]

May 25, 2013

Grandparents Rights Revisited through Recent Bucks County Case

Do grandparents have rights in custody of their grandchildren?  And to what extent?  In a recent Bucks County custody case, the Court was faced with the issue of grandparents rights. After a trial, the court granted the paternal grandmother partial physical custody of her grandchild. The trial was based upon the argument of the adoptive parents, the child’s biological grandfather […]

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 […]

December 25, 2012

First-in-time Rule, Jurisdiction & Venue in Divorce or Custody

Where does jurisdiction lie? Have you ever wondered which state has jurisdiction over a divorce case if one spouse leaves the state? How about if you have children, where does the Custody case take place? A recent Pennsylvania case addressed such issues and confirmed what has been a precedent for some time. The father and […]

November 17, 2012

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 […]