Family Law
Divorce
Pennsylvania is a No Fault divorce state. If you are contemplating divorce or have been served with a Divorce Complaint, it is important to know your rights before you make any decisions about what you want to do with your divorce. Divorce actions will effect not only your state of marriage but will have repercussions with regard to the custody of your children, potential payment of support or alimony and the division of your marital property. You should not make any decisions without being completely informed about Pennsylvania divorce laws.
Custody
If you are served with or are thinking of filing a custody action, it is important for you to understand your rights. Specifically, the old laws that provided mothers with more control in custody actions are no longer controlling. Today, fathers have more, if not equal, rights in custody actions. However, seperated parties can establish a status quo if rights are not asserted at the outset of a case.
Support
If you are facing an upcoming support hearing or are pursuing support against a parent, you need to know the factors that are used to determine your support in order to assure that you are receiving and/or paying the correct amount. Contact us today to meet and discuss what factors will be considered so that you can be fully prepared for any hearing.
Adoption
Adopting a child is a huge responsibility and a life-changing decision. Too often, it is also a lengthy, stressful and costly process that can easily end in heartbreak for everyone involved. That’s why it pays to have experts on your side who know the legal requirements and considerations, and will help ensure your adoption goes smoothly.
Protection from Abuse
If you or a child in your care are a victim of abuse or violence, or have been threatened with abuse or violence, we can help you restore a measure of security and begin to rebuild your life. Whether you want to try and move on by reaching and out-of-court agreement, or need to file a Protection from Abuse Order, we will be there to fight for your rights. In addition to establishing legal consequences if the abuser approaches, contacts or harasses you or your children, a Protection from Abuse order can also be used to evict an abuser from a residence you share, establish custody of minors, keep your address and contact information confidential, order the abuser to pay support or financial losses such as moving or healthcare expenses, and establish other legal conditions that will protect you from further abuse.
Wills
Don’t leave your family with the burden of figuring out your last wishes after you die. It’s never too early to have a living will created, and is especially important for anyone with children or dependents. Appointing an executor and detailing how you want to divide your assets will prevent potential conflict, and setting up a trust fund for educational or charitable purposes will ensure that you limit any possible tax burden so your loved ones receive as much of your estate as possible. In addition to wills, we can also prepare a Power of Attorney for you for use in either a common situation where you need someone to act on your behalf for a legal transaction or for use when you or a loved one becomes legally or physically incapacitated.