Pennsylvania Family Law

Social Security is extremely important to our economic security. Social Security stands as one of the most complex areas in financial planning (let alone divorce planning), but most people overlook it. For divorcing couples, if proper planning is not done, the result could be economically detrimental. The purpose of this guide is to address some […]

In America, the backbone of  our adversarial system is a jury trial. But as family law practitioners, we are often heard by judges sitting without a jury. Some Judges presiding at nonjury trials often circumvent the rules of evidence.  Judges often admit evidence indiscriminately, ruling on weight and relevance only after all the facts of […]

In the last year, same-sex marriage was legalized in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, paving the way for thousands of couples to finally get hitched.

What You Need to Know About Valuating the Family Business for Your PA Divorce. Pennsylvania is an equitable distribution state. This means that when a couple divorces, all marital property must be divided between the spouses. If you or your spouse owns a business, the business may be considered marital property. Before you and your […]

Pension Plans: An Important Asset in Your Pennsylvania Divorce If your spouse’s employer offers a pension plan, you may have been counting on that money to help fund your retirement. Now that you’re getting divorced, you might be worried about how this change will affect your future. Concerns about financial stability can feel especially stressful […]

QUESTION: I expect that I will be awarded alimony, how long can I expect to collect it? Alimony is a regular payment that one spouse makes to the other spouse in order to provide financial support after a divorce. In the past, Pennsylvania courts awarded one year of alimony for every three years of marriage. […]

QUESTION: “Who has to pay child support?” Traditionally, Pennsylvania has embraced the doctrine of paternity by estoppel. This means that the person who acts as a parent to a child id the child’s parent, even if they are not biologically related. DNA does not matter. What does this mean for you if you cared for […]

In an opinion issued on March 20, 2014, a Dauphin County judge upheld and explained his prior order denying an ex-husband’s request that he be entirely discharged from paying alimony to his ex-wife.  The case was Eugene v. Eugene. The ex-husband had asked for discharge of his alimony obligation, which was outlined in his written […]

Do I Really Need a Divorce Attorney? QUESTION: Is there any particular reason why I should hire a lawyer rather than doing a do-it-yourself divorce? You’ve seen the ads for $59 do-it-yourself divorce and you are wondering, “Why should I pay an attorney, when I can fill out the forms myself?” Some people have no […]

U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III ruled that Pennsylvania’s 1996 statutory ban on recognizing same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Judge Jones said, “By virtue of this, ruling, same-sex couples who seek to marry in Pennsylvania may do so, and already married same-sex couples will be recognized as such in the Commonwealth.” Before the ruling, Pennsylvania […]