Pennsylvania Family Law

QUESTION: “Can my former spouse file for bankruptcy to avoid paying child support?” Your ex is upset about paying child support. He tried moving. Then he refused to pay. Now, he says he will file bankruptcy.  Can filing bankruptcy prevent him from paying child support? In the U.S., both custodial and non-custodial parents are obligated […]

QUESTION: “My wife has been cheating on me. I want to leave her, but I’m worried that I won’t get custody of our kids. Are the courts still reluctant to grant child-custody to fathers?” For many fathers, the hardest part of a divorce is not being a daily part of their children’s lives. They assume […]

Legal Separation in PA Our separation attorneys provide compassionate legal counsel for those dealing with separation and divorce throughout Pennsylvania. Our family law and separation lawyers work very closely with our clients to help determine what is best for them, and if applicable, their children too. After evaluating your unique situation our lawyers will provide […]

A power of attorney is essential for LGBT relationships. Should a partner become incapacitated, who will legally make important decisions about medical care or financial matters? Until recently LGBT couples in Pennsylvania were not afforded the same legal  protections available to married couples. When couples are not married, a power of attorney is a critical […]

At Petrelli Previtera, LLC, our attorneys believe in the process of resolving family law issues that arise in a divorce proceeding without the necessity of litigation, if possible. This is called alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ADR includes processes such as collaborative law, mediation, and arbitration. However, if ADR is not possible, our family law attorneys are […]

You have decided that your child should be put up for adoption at birth. You are confident in your decision and you are not looking to discuss whether or not it is the right one. You Still Need a Lawyer Even if you are no longer deciding whether or not adoption is the right choice, […]

A recent article in the Legal Intelligencer discussed the application of the concept of paternity by estoppel to a custody case recently decided by the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Paternity by estoppel is the concept whereby once a man has been held out as a child’s father, his paternity cannot be later denied. It is most […]

§ 6103.  Jurisdiction. (a)  General rule.–The court shall have jurisdiction over all proceedings under this chapter. (b)  Effect of departure and nonresidence.–The right of the plaintiff to relief under this chapter shall not be affected by either of the following: (1)  The plaintiff’s leaving the residence or household to avoid further abuse. (2)  The defendant’s […]

For most couples, the idea of divorce is daunting.  When a marriage comes to an end, you are emotionally raw, yet also must keep a level head to protect yourself, your family and your interests.

Before you can move forward with the adoption of a child, the child’s biological parents’ rights must be legally terminated. This can be done in one of two ways. Either the biological parents can voluntarily terminate their legal rights or their rights can be involuntarily terminated. The process, of course, becomes more complicated if the […]