The Golden Rule and Divorce
We all know the Golden Rule – “Treat others as you want them to treat you.” The idea is to treat others with decency and respect because that is how we want to be treated, regardless of whether the other...[Continue reading]
Choosing an Executor
When we die, somebody will need to handle our estates. That means gathering and protecting our assets, dealing with our creditors and making sure our assets are distributed as specified in our Wills. That person (or persons) is called the...[Continue reading]
Divorce & Estate Planning Go Together
Divorce and estate planning go together. Not exactly like peanut butter and jelly, which some people know is one of my favorite lunch sandwiches, but they are a logical combination. As part of a divorce, individuals make a lot of...[Continue reading]
Holidays
Holidays can be stressful for everybody. They can be wonderful and joyous celebrations, but they can also involve lots of planning, preparation and possibly unrealistic expectations. Add the process of divorce or the loss of a loved one into the...[Continue reading]
Holidays and Child Custody
Making arrangements for your children during the holidays can be difficult and can sometimes give rise to conflict. Ideally, we want to spend as much time as possible with our children during the holidays. When parents are separated or divorced,...[Continue reading]
Digital Assets
What are your digital assets? What happens to your digital assets upon your death? Who has the authority to handle your digital assets if you are incapacitated or incapable of managing them? ...[Continue reading]
Attorney’s Fees in Estate Planning
If an attorney is preparing your Will, trust agreement, powers of attorney, etc., you will need to pay him or her. Many attorneys (including me) charge a flat fee for estate planning services. That means you decide what documents you...[Continue reading]
Pros and Cons of the Domestic Relations Office
Some people go through the domestic relations office to establish child support, spousal support or alimony pendente lite orders. Some people make those arrangements without involving the domestic relations office. There are pros and cons to involving or not involving...[Continue reading]
Family Law Issues and Unmarried Couples
Unmarried couples are, by definition, not married. So although they may act like married couples, live like married couples, have families like married couples, in some ways the court system treats them differently. Unmarried couples who end their relationship and...[Continue reading]
What Happens if I Die Without a Will?
If you die without a Will, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a default plan in place that determines who receives your assets. Dying without a valid Will is called intestacy, so distribution of assets without a valid Will is controlled...[Continue reading]