Will collaborative divorce fail if parties are not honest?
The simple answer to this question is “Probably.” In a collaborative divorce, the parties and their attorneys commit to full disclosure of information that is relevant to the parties in their decision-making. The issues up for discussion may include divorce...[Continue reading]
What Judges Consider in PA Child Custody Cases
When parents no longer wish to cohabitate and raise their children together, whether married or not, they will need to determine parenting arrangements for their children. They will also need to determine how parenting decisions will be made. This can...[Continue reading]
You Cannot Disinherit Your Spouse in PA – Unless They Consent
The idea of our freedom to dispose of our estates as we wish is right up there with baseball and apple pie as an American ideal. With a few limited exceptions, you can leave your assets to anybody you choose...[Continue reading]
Keeping the Children’s Best Interests First
Divorce is not easy on any of the parties involved. But it can be especially hard on children who are part of the equation. Some people stay married because they are concerned about the potential impact of a divorce on...[Continue reading]
Mediation vs. Collaborative Law
What is the difference between mediation and collaborative law? The best place to start would be to simply define both terms generically. Mediation is commonly defined as “an intervention in a dispute in order to resolve it.” Collaboration is “the...[Continue reading]
Filing Taxes During Divorce Proceedings
It is the beginning of a new year and before you know it, your income taxes will be due. I do not offer tax advice when approached with tax questions, except to say, “You should discuss that with your tax...[Continue reading]
Divorce & Extended family or friends
So, you have decided to divorce your spouse. Does this mean you have to divorce your in-laws, your mutual friends and people that you have known together as well? As with the majority of things in the legal realm, the...[Continue reading]
Terms included in mid-nuptial agreements
Before I dive into what is included in a mid-nuptial agreement, it is probably best to define, “What is a mid-nuptial agreement?” It is a marital agreement between spouses who are already married. Although these types of agreements are not...[Continue reading]
Do Custody Agreements Move If the Parents Do?
There are two types of custody in Pennsylvania: 1) legal custody; and 2) physical custody. Legal custody includes making decisions for children, such as health and medical concerns, religious determinations and educational decisions. Physical custody addresses where and with whom...[Continue reading]
Divorce Over 50 Years of Age
There is a trend occurring in our society where divorce as a whole is declining. However, people over the age of 50 are seeing an increase. Several years ago, there was a 1 in 10 chance of a person going...[Continue reading]