At the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane, every client works directly with the attorney handling their case. There is a level of personal care you only get from a solo law practice, and it matters most when your marriage, your children and your financial future are on the line. Lauren H. Kane has practiced exclusively in domestic relations and family law in Pennsylvania and South Jersey for over 40 years, representing clients in Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, the Main Line and the surrounding counties. If you are looking for a Philadelphia family law attorney who will take care of your needs while fighting hard for the best outcome in your divorce, child custody dispute or other family law matter, look no further than the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane.
Philadelphia family & divorce lawyer Lauren H. Kane is a graduate of Yale University and Villanova University School of Law. Her command of Pennsylvania family law, combined with focused attention to every detail, has made her a trusted divorce lawyer in Philadelphia for more than four decades. With the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane on your side, you have an experienced family law attorney who fights for you, understands you and takes care of you, from the first consultation through the final order and beyond.
About the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane
The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane is a Philadelphia family law firm focused solely on divorce, child custody, support and related domestic relations matters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Founded and led by attorney Lauren H. Kane, a Yale University and Villanova Law graduate licensed in both states, the practice has represented spouses, parents and families for over 40 years in the family courts of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties and throughout South Jersey. The firm handles everything from amicable uncontested divorces and prenuptial agreements to high net worth divorce, contested custody litigation, protection from abuse proceedings, dependency cases and appeals. Because the firm is a solo practice by design, clients are never handed off to a junior associate: the attorney who meets with you is the attorney who prepares your case, negotiates on your behalf and stands beside you in court.
Handling the Full Range of Family Law Matters in Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, Chestnut Hill, Penn Wynne, West Chester, Doylestown, Norristown & South Jersey
No matter what your family law needs, you can find answers and support at the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane. Our family law services include:
Divorce – The decisions you make in a divorce continue to affect you and your children for years after the decree is signed. As an experienced Philadelphia divorce lawyer, Lauren H. Kane protects your rights in every part of the process, including custody, support, alimony and the division of marital property.
Child Custody – Few issues matter more than your relationship with your children. We represent mothers and fathers in custody cases of every kind, from working out a shared parenting schedule to litigating legal and physical custody in court, always keeping the focus on what is truly best for your child. Parents throughout the city turn to us as their Philadelphia child custody lawyer because we prepare every case as if it will be decided by a judge.
Child Support and Spousal Support – Pennsylvania support is calculated under statewide guidelines, but the numbers are only as accurate as the income information behind them. We make sure child support, spousal support and alimony are based on a complete and accurate financial picture, including self-employment income, bonuses and earning capacity.
Property Division – Pennsylvania divides marital property through equitable distribution, which means fair rather than automatically equal. Drawing on decades of experience as a family law attorney, Lauren H. Kane works to divide property fairly, whether that means the marital home, a family business, investment accounts, retirement and pension benefits or shared debt.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements – Marital agreements help spouses make sure they are taken care of and not taken advantage of in the event of divorce, death or another event defined by the parties. We negotiate, draft and review prenups and postnups that meet your needs and that you can count on to be valid and enforceable. If you or your spouse are challenging the validity of a marital agreement in court, call on us for capable and effective representation.
Adoptions – Your decision to adopt can be a source of great joy, but the road there can be challenging and frustrating without the right legal guidance. As a Philadelphia adoption lawyer, Lauren H. Kane helps families complete an adoption, whether stepparent, relative or private, without unnecessary delays and costs.
Protection from Abuse – Threats, violence or stalking from a spouse, family member, household member or current or former partner can be frightening and dangerous. When you are facing domestic violence, we act quickly through the Philadelphia Protection From Abuse process to stop the abuse and keep you and your children safe now and for the long term. We also represent parents facing child abuse allegations, which can surface in contested custody cases and demand an immediate, careful response.
Name Change – We guide you through a name change after divorce or at other times for yourself and your children, whether you are returning to a former name or changing your name for safety and security reasons.
Paternity – Establishing legal parentage protects the rights of both parents and the child. We handle paternity actions for mothers seeking support and fathers seeking custody and a meaningful place in their child’s life.
Dependency – It is frightening to think of, but children can be removed from a home by social services very quickly, sometimes based on allegations that later prove unfounded. If a dependency case has been opened, an experienced Philadelphia dependency lawyer can make all the difference. Lauren H. Kane serves as your voice and advocate through a confusing process to reunite your family and find the best solution for you and your children.
Experience, Expertise, and Success in All Philadelphia Divorce Cases
With over 40 years in practice, our Philadelphia divorce attorney has seen it all and done it all. Every divorce is different, and the right strategy depends on your goals, your finances and how much conflict exists between you and your spouse. We represent clients in every type of Pennsylvania divorce, including:
Uncontested Divorce – When spouses agree on the major issues, an uncontested divorce is usually the fastest and least expensive path. We make sure the agreement actually protects you before you sign it.
Contested Divorce – When spouses cannot agree on custody, support or property, the case becomes contested and requires thorough preparation, skilled negotiation and, when necessary, strong advocacy before a judge or master.
Collaborative Divorce – A collaborative divorce allows spouses to resolve their case privately and respectfully outside of court, often preserving the co-parenting relationship.
Complex and High Net Worth Divorce – Divorces involving business interests, professional practices, real estate holdings, executive compensation or significant investment portfolios require careful valuation and strategy. We give complex and high-asset divorces the attention to detail they demand, and clients with significant wealth rely on us as their Philadelphia high net worth divorce lawyer.
Military Divorce – A military divorce raises federal issues that civilian divorces do not, including division of military retirement pay, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and custody arrangements around deployments.
LGBTQ and Same Sex Divorce – We provide respectful, knowledgeable representation in same sex divorce cases, including matters involving relationships that began before marriage equality and parentage questions for non-biological parents.
Divorce Appeals – If a trial court got it wrong, a divorce appeal to the Superior Court may be the path to correcting the outcome. Strict deadlines apply, so prompt action is essential.
Not sure where your case fits? Our overview of the Pennsylvania divorce process explains each stage, from filing and service through discovery, settlement and the final decree.
Post-Divorce Modification, Enforcement and Relocation
Family law needs do not end when a divorce is final. Children grow, jobs change and parents remarry or move. Whether you need to change or enforce a custody order, or you are responding to a request from the other parent, we can help you protect the arrangement that works for your child. When a parent wants to move with a child, Pennsylvania law requires formal notice and gives the other parent the right to object. We represent parents on both sides of relocation disputes, whether you hope to move or want to keep your child close.
A Family Law Attorney Serving Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, the Main Line and Montgomery County
The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane represents clients throughout Philadelphia, from Center City and Chestnut Hill to Northeast Philadelphia, as well as Bala Cynwyd, Lower Merion Township and the Main Line communities of Ardmore, Narberth, Wynnewood, Haverford and Bryn Mawr. Philadelphia cases are heard at the Philadelphia Family Court on Arch Street, while Montgomery County matters are handled at the courthouse in Norristown, and each court has its own procedures, scheduling practices and local rules. Many of our clients live in Montgomery County, where Lauren H. Kane is a trusted Montgomery County family lawyer and divorce attorney. We regularly handle divorces there along with the full range of family law matters, from custody and support to property division and marital agreements. We also serve clients in Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties, and because Lauren H. Kane is licensed in New Jersey, we take cases throughout South Jersey, including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.
Why Clients Choose a Solo Family Law Practice
Large firms often assign cases to whichever associate has time, and clients can go weeks without speaking to the lawyer whose name is on the door. The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane was built on the opposite model. When you hire this firm, you get direct access to an attorney with more than 40 years of family law experience, a clear explanation of your options and honest advice about what to expect. That combination of personal attention and seasoned judgment is why clients across Philadelphia and the Main Line trust Lauren H. Kane with the most important decisions of their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Philadelphia
How long do I have to live in Pennsylvania to file for divorce?
At least one spouse must have been a bona fide resident of Pennsylvania for at least six months before the divorce complaint is filed. The divorce can be filed in the county where either spouse lives, subject to the venue rules.
How long does a divorce take in Pennsylvania?
A mutual consent divorce can be finalized once 90 days have passed after the complaint is served and both spouses sign consents, provided all economic issues are resolved. If one spouse will not consent, a no-fault divorce is generally available after the spouses have lived separate and apart for one year. Contested cases involving custody, support or property disputes take longer.
Is Pennsylvania a 50/50 state for dividing property?
No. Pennsylvania follows equitable distribution, which means marital property is divided fairly based on factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning capacity, contributions to the marriage and the needs of any children. The result may or may not be an equal split.
How do Philadelphia courts decide child custody?
Pennsylvania judges decide custody based on the best interests of the child, weighing the factors listed in the custody statute with substantial weight given to factors affecting the child’s safety. These factors include each parent’s willingness to encourage a relationship with the other parent, the child’s need for stability and the child’s well-reasoned preference, among others.
What is the difference between spousal support, alimony pendente lite and alimony?
Spousal support can be sought after separation and before a divorce is filed. Alimony pendente lite provides support while the divorce is pending. Alimony is support awarded after the divorce is final, and the court considers factors such as the length of the marriage, the parties’ incomes and their standard of living.
Can I move out of the area with my child?
Only with the other parent’s consent or court approval. Pennsylvania law requires the relocating parent to give formal notice to every person with custody rights, and the other parent has the right to object. The court then decides whether the move serves the child’s best interests.
Why hire a family lawyer who practices only family law?
Family law has its own statutes, support guidelines, court procedures and local rules. An attorney who has focused exclusively on divorce and custody for over 40 years understands how Philadelphia and Montgomery County judges approach these cases and can give you realistic, reliable advice from day one.
Call Now for Trusted Legal Advice on Your Philadelphia Family Law Matter
We welcome you to browse our website for more information on our practice areas and answers to common questions about divorce and child custody in Pennsylvania. For immediate assistance with a Philadelphia divorce, child custody dispute or other family law matter in Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County or South Jersey, call the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane at 215-918-9453, or contact us online to speak with an experienced and dedicated Philadelphia family lawyer.
