Pennsylvania Family Law

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 […]

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.

Facing a divorce is never easy, but you can make the process much more inviting by opting for a collaborative divorce. The traditional idea of divorce is fighting it out in a Pennsylvania court. You imagine arguing with your spouse over assets and the children, but it does not have to be that way. Collaborative […]

Everyone has heard horror stories about bitter divorces that drag on for years, with each spouse trying to make the other one miserable. The end of your marriage does not have to be so contentious, though. In fact, it is possible to divorce your spouse using a cooperative and comparatively amicable process. Divorce mediation has gained […]

In addition to being costly, time-consuming and often intensely stressful, if your divorce goes to court, it may be up to a judge to determine the final outcome. Regardless of who “wins”, neither you nor your spouse may be happy with the court’s decisions. Collaborative divorce is different. During collaboration, you and your future ex […]

Traveling outside the country with minor children can become complicated after divorce. If you frequently leave the United States on vacation and plan to bring your children while sharing custody, you must be on the same page with your coparent. Review the common considerations you should think about before international travel with kids after divorce. […]