Pennsylvania recognizes a nonceremonial marriage where couples live together and present themselves as spouses to their families, friends, and community even though they do not possess a marriage license. Couples are engaged in these common-law marriages if they meet...
Can the court order an attempt at reconciliation before divorce?
In Pennsylvania, divorce can be complicated. Of course, in some cases, people are somewhat amicable and simply want to move forward with the process and end the marriage. In others, they are in dispute over a litany of issues. Regardless, there will be emotional and...
Reasons to get a prenuptial agreement this spring or anytime
Ten percent of the 2.5 million couples getting married this year were engaged on Valentine’s Day. Experts believe that each of these couples should have a prenuptial agreement to deal openly with their financial matters and provide a type of insurance if they ever...
Keeping costs down during a divorce
If there is one thing that keeps couples together and out of divorce court, other than children, it is the fear of the costs associated with a divorce. Often, couples do not believe that they can afford it, or one spouse thinks they cannot afford life post-marriage....
Child support enforcement in Pennsylvania
Child support is essential monetary support for any child whose parents are divorced. However, receiving timely child support payments is something that many custodial parents in Pennsylvania and the rest of the country have to face challenges with. Fortunately, the...
When can a parent relocate with a child?
Parental relocation can be a primary concern of both parents when one wants to relocate with the child. It is important for parents facing this situation to know in what circumstances parental relocation with the child may be permitted. When parental relocation with...
What role does money play in child custody?
Custody is one of the most emotional and difficult issues in a divorce. There may be concerns about whether a parent’s income plays an outsized role in child custody decisions. But there are many family law issues involved in these legal decisions. Best interests of...
What factors are relevant during child custody decisions?
Child custody is one of the most important matters that Pennsylvania parents may have to deal with when they choose to end their marriages in divorce. Child custody refers to the rights and responsibilities that parents retain when their marital relationships end....
Is “nesting” a good idea for our divorcing family?
Figuring out your living situation after a divorce is difficult for multiple reasons, but if you are looking at a joint custody situation with your ex-spouse you will have specific concerns regarding the future of your family. Namely, you are going to have to figure...
Does divorce affect children’s future relationships?
There are many studies about how divorce impacts children, and there are just as many competing theories about its effects. One study says that divorce may have a negative impact on a child’s ability to form attachments for the rest of his or her life. According to...
