Family Law Blog
What if I want to relocate with my children?
When you are co-parenting, there are many decisions you cannot make without the approval of your co-parent. One of these is relocation. Generally, if you are moving within the same town or school district that your child attends, you do...
Four ways to protect yourself from an alimony order
Your divorce can have significant financial implications for your stability and lifestyle for years to come. Therefore, it’s imperative that you do everything possible to protect your interests, which could include fighting back against a request for alimony. If your...
Five common reasons to seek a child custody modification
Child custody disputes can quickly become contentious, with each parent thinking that they know what’s best for their kid. But when all is said and done and a child custody order is issued, you might breathe a sigh of relief...
What if your spouse won’t agree to a divorce?
In a typical Pennsylvania divorce, the spouses agree to go their separate ways, but there are cases in which one spouse objects to the divorce or does not cooperate with the process. If this happens in your divorce, you do...
What is the difference between legal and physical custody?
If you are in the process of separating from your child’s other parent, one of the main issues you will have to address is child custody. There are two types of custody: legal and physical. Legal custody: A parent with...
Four signs that your spouse is hiding marital assets
To ensure you have financial stability post-divorce, you have to effectively navigate the property division process. That might sound simple enough given that the law requires equitable division of the marital estate, but the matter can become quite complex. Valuating...
Are you prepared for these 5 issues in your gray divorce?
Regardless of the circumstances, divorce is rarely easy. It forces you to financially and emotionally untangle your life from someone you loved for years, and the triggering event for your dissolution can be extremely painful. But the process can be...
What boundaries do you need to set during your divorce?
There’s no doubt that going through divorce can be tough. To successfully get through the process, you have to think through its financial implications, and you have to be sure to take care of your own emotional and mental well-being....
When does separate property become marital property?
Property division is one of the most complex aspects of a Pennsylvania divorce. Most people have more property than they realize. Even if you believe that you own little to nothing, chances are, when you start identifying and listing your...
Dividing a mortgage in divorce
Under Pennsylvania law, almost all forms of property acquired by either spouse during a marriage are considered part of the marital property, and therefore subject to division in divorce. Property includes both assets and debts, so many couples must figure...
Three assets likely to be fought over in your divorce
As you enter the property division phase of your divorce, you may find yourself wondering which assets you should fight for and which you should let go. It’s hard to give up any marital assets, so this can be a...
Five justifications for seeking a child custody modification
Hashing out or litigating a child custody arrangement with your child’s other parent can take a lot of time and result in a fair amount of stress. Yet, when it’s all said and done, you might breathe a sigh of...
Four actions you shouldn’t take in your divorce
There’s a lot to think about and accomplish when you head into divorce. While much of your time will be spent developing action steps to protect your interests during the marriage dissolution process, there are also several things that you...
What you should and shouldn’t do with social media during divorce
As you navigate your divorce, you’re probably going to confront a lot of stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. Bottling those emotions up is unhealthy, but you also need to be careful with how you vent them. For many, social media...
Can my child choose their own custody schedule?
Creating and maintaining a consistent custody schedule is a challenge for many Pennsylvania parents. Once a custody arrangement is in place, there may come a time when changes are necessary. A new job, relocation or a child getting older are...
Understanding alimony in a Pennsylvania divorce
Fifty years ago, when women had fewer career options than they do today, it was typical for divorce settlements to include alimony orders. A lot has changed since then in the workplace and in marriage, but alimony still exists in...
Splitting a 401(k) in divorce
Some Pennsylvania residents begin the divorce process thinking something along the lines of, “Well, I’m not rich, so property division shouldn’t be too hard,” only to eat their words later on. Certain types of assets are harder to divide than...
Is it possible to live together with your ex following a divorce?
Many couples in Lancaster who divorce strive to have an amicable relationship with one another after their marriage has ended, especially if they have children. But can some divorced couples get along so well following their split that they continue...
How qualified professionals can answer key family law questions
In Pennsylvania, people who get married do so with the intent of it being a long-lasting partnership. No one enters a union planning for it to come apart and end in divorce. Unfortunately, many marriages fail and people need to...
Top reasons why you should avoid a DIY divorce
If you’re thinking about getting divorced, you might want to get through the process as quickly as possible. To do so, you may be wondering if it’s best to navigate your divorce on your own. After all, you know the...
5 common misconceptions about getting divorced
There’s no doubt that divorce can be stressful and downright overwhelming. To get through the process as strongly as possible, you have to be prepared to confront challenging legal issues, too, which can be difficult and heart-breaking. This is why...
Reasons to mediate your divorce
Divorce is difficult to find yourself in, especially when you have been married for a long time or have children together. Dissolving a marriage adds additional stress to what is already a psychologically taxing time. What is mediation, and can...
How do I change my name in Lancaster County?
Changing your legal name in Lancaster County requires steps and fees to be prepared to pay. The process can be confusing. However, an attorney can advise you on what you need to do or represent you and request that the...
When do Pennsylvania courts order alimony?
Pennsylvania law requires a divorcing couple to divide their marital property in a way that meets guidelines of fairness under state law. This doesn’t necessarily mean an equal division. Sometimes, even splitting the marital property down the middle would leave...
How is child custody and parenting time impacted by relocation?
It is not unusual for Pennsylvania parents who have been granted custody of a child to want to move away to another part of Pennsylvania or a different state entirely. While this might be viewed as being in the best...
Can I keep the kids away from my abusive ex?
Domestic abuse is all-too-common in Pennsylvania, and sometimes it’s the impetus for one spouse to seek a divorce or to leave a relationship. Certainly, no one should have to stay in an abusive relationship. However, it’s important to understand that...
Developing the divorce negotiation strategy that you need
The divorce process is often fraught with emotional and legal challenges. The outcomes of your child custody and property division disputes can affect what your life looks like for years to come, and it may negatively impact your relationship with...
Do I need a specific reason to get a divorce in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvanians who are experiencing marital problems and are considering divorce are frequently unsure about the entire process. Before even getting to issues like child custody, property division, alimony and child support, many are completely unaware of how to begin the...
Six ways to build your co-parenting relationship
You might breathe a sigh of relief once your child custody is hashed out, whether through negotiation or litigation. But the truth of the matter is that custody issues can linger well after your initial dispute is settled. And your...
Can children choose the parent they will live with?
As children grow older, they mature and have more opinions about what they want to do. However, parents still have legal authority over them until they turn 18 years old. This means that parents have the final say on decisions...
How do courts decide which parent should have custody?
Parents in Pennsylvania need to make many different decisions for their children. They need to make decisions about what schools they will go to, make medical decisions for them, decide what food they will eat, what activities they will be...
Addressing the best interest factors in a child custody case
Is your child custody dispute keeping you up at night? It’s understandable if it is. The outcome of your custody battle can define your relationship with your child for a long time to come. You may even be worried about...
Can I modify my child custody order?
Life is always changing and this is no less true for divorced couples and their children following the divorce and a child custody order. If you are wondering about modifying a child custody order, you should know how one is...
Don’t forget to revise these documents after divorce
Even if the divorce process is a stressful, overwhelming event, the divorcing couple often focuses on the possibility of an exciting, independent future awaiting them at the finish line. While navigating negotiations centering on property division, debt responsibility, support and...
Couples who divorce divide marital assets
Couples filing for divorce in Pennsylvania must resolve many issues, but the division of marital assets is often the most contentious part of the divorce. Various factors go into this, including emotional attachment to certain assets attained during the marriage,...
What is the point of having a postnuptial agreement?
Most people would agree that marriage takes effort, and even when one or both spouses go into it with the best of intentions, things do not always work out for the best. The problem with ending it, however, is that...