Pennsylvania Family Law

A recent decision by the Pennsylvania Superior Court has demonstrated the importance of new legislation for same-sex partners. In this case, a same-sex couple in Pennsylvania contracted a sperm donation and used in vitro fertilization (IVF) to become pregnant. Before the baby was born, the couple separated, and the non-biologically related parent filed a petition […]

Divorce is a difficult process, and the grounds for divorce vary among states. In Pennsylvania, the law provides several options for couples seeking to end their marriage. In this article, we’ll discuss the grounds for fault divorce in Pennsylvania, and whether the state is a “no fault” divorce state. Grounds for Fault Divorce in Pennsylvania […]

Since May 20, 2014, when Judge John Jones of the Middle District of Pennsylvania struck down the PA DOMA as unconstitutional in Whitewood vs. Wolf, the Family Law community has been waiting to see the effects of the decision.

Abandonment laws in Pennsylvania can have a significant impact on a child custody or divorce proceeding, particularly when it comes to the issue of desertion. In Pennsylvania, abandonment is defined as the willful desertion or neglect of a minor child by a parent or guardian, or the willful failure of a parent or guardian to […]

Divorce is a sad, frustrating experience for children. Two of the most important people in their young lives won’t be living together anymore, and that sucks. As a parent, you should do everything to ensure you save your kids from lifelong emotional wounds. I remember a client was telling me something. This was a long […]

There are several myths about divorce mediation. Below are seven common misconceptions we hear. Divorce Mediation Myth #1: Mediation is the best option for every divorcing couple. Mediation works for many divorcing couples, but not for some.  Mediation works best for spouses who are able to speak up for what’s important to them, and can […]

In an annulment a marriage is voided. What is a voided marriage? It’s when the law treats a marriage as if it never existed.  Let’s take a look at a few of the facts: Grounds for Annulment of Marriage Marriage Invalid A no fault divorce can occur when a couple agrees that they want to […]

There are several standard templates for child custody agreements and visitation schedules.  However, families can be unique in their structure, and individual children have different needs, so a one-size-fits-all solution may not be right for everyone. Some custody challenges require creativity. It is important to avoid “all or nothing” thinking and realize that flexibility may […]

There are no hard and fast rules dictating who should remain in the shared residency, but generally speaking, courts will often grant one party exclusive use and possession of the marital home. If you’d like to be the one remaining in the marital home, then you’ll have to petition the court for exclusive occupancy.

Collaborative divorce is a relatively new and less complex way of handling a dissolution of marriage. At first, you might confuse it with mediation, but there is one major difference. If you do not come to an agreement during mediation, you can continue to litigation using the same attorney or representative. During a collaborative divorce, […]