When it comes to dividing the marital assets during a divorce, one of the most complex issues is the question of dividing retirement benefits. This is especially important for couples who have not yet reached retirement. To access the assets in a retirement account, a special order called a “Qualified Domestic Relations Order” (QDRO) is used. A […]
One of the first steps a court takes following the commencement of divorce proceedings is to issue what are known as temporary orders. Included in the temporary orders issued at the start of a divorce case is an order addressing the matter of child custody. A temporary child custody order designates which parent will have […]
Some individuals involved in a divorce case seek what commonly is known as alimony and in some jurisdictions is called spousal maintenance. In fact, there has been a movement over the course of the past two decades to substitute the legal term “spousal maintenance” for “alimony,” under the theory that the former more accurately reflects […]
Father’s Contract Fines Himself 10K to Modify Custody Divorce, support and custody are all separate actions. Public policy does not allow parents to bargain away support payments and any contracts are scrutinized to ensure fairness and the best interests of the child. When parties are able to come to agreements outside of the court […]
An objective look at hiring a divorce lawyer When you are facing a major decision that normally comes with a big price tag, you want to look into every possible option before making the purchase. Just like any other venture in life, deciding on whether or not to hire an attorney should provoke the fundamental […]
The decision to choose between divorce or mediation is one that requires a lot of thought before the process begins. Many couples consider mediation as a friendlier, more cooperative and constructive alternative for divorce. Some find that counseling leads them back together and in a better place; however, many couples may be at a different […]
Managing a household as a couple can be hard enough – as a single parent, managing a job and family solo can be burdensome. When a parent is able to get a support award, collecting can be tricky. Whether it locating the other parent, establishing paternity, or getting payments timely, there are numerous headaches that […]
There are varying opinions about when and how to move on to a new relationship prior to the entry of the divorce decree. A couple is often emotionally, physically and even financially divorced by the time they even file their divorce complaint; however, this is not always the case. Post-separation behavior does not normally affect […]
For complex/high income divorce cases, there are often multiple sources of income to consider. Whether or not these sources are to be considered as income for support can mean a dramatic difference, especially where gifts and loans are involved. In a recent Pennsylvania support case, Suzanne D. v. Stephen W., 65 A3d 965 (2013), the […]
In cases where a divorce is initiated by marital misconduct, the concept of alimony can be even more daunting than usual. It is not unusual for the conduct of the cheating spouse to come up in most of the conversations that take place during the divorce process; it can be painful and frustrating. In Pennsylvania, […]
