Getting divorced in Pennsylvania is a challenging experience no matter how long or short of a time two people were married. However, the large amount of confusing and unreliable information on the internet, particularly regarding matters such as property division, has made divorce even more complicated. A couple of the two biggest misconceptions about the dissolution of a marriage have to do with child custody and the family home.
First, it is commonly believed that custody laws in each state are the same. The truth is that laws differ by state; for instance, some states use the term custody to describe the time spent with children, whereas other states use the term parenting time. Finding the proper laws for Pennsylvania online can be challenging as well, which is why having an attorney on your divorce team is so critical.
Second, some believe they should stay in the marital home during the divorce because this could impact their ability to be awarded custody or to get the house in the marital split-up. In reality, staying in the house might affect child custody more than it would who gets to keep the home. When a spouse leaves the home without the children, this may impact the decision a judge makes about custody.
Divorce in Pennsylvania can be challenging due to the number of laws that affect various aspects of a divorce case, including property division. However, an attorney can provide guidance with each decision during this type of family law proceeding. The attorney’s aim will be to ensure that one’s rights and best interests are protected each step of the way, along with the best interests of the children.
Source: bizjournals.com, “6 common misconceptions about divorce“, Lewis I. Landerholm, July 10, 2017